The herald., 1896-03-06

conference on the Cuban resolution was
agreed to, but the speaker did not an.
nounce the conferees bill was passed.
The house then resumed the considera-
ton of the amendment to the legislative
appropriation bill to abolish the fee sys-
ten in the case of United States attorneys,
fixed yesterday, except in the following
districts:
Indiana, s450O; Eastern district of
Louisiana, $500; Maine. $4,000; Nevada,
$4,000; New Jersey, $2500; Northern dis
trict of New York, $1,000, and Southern
district of New York, $4,000.
Under the fee system both district at
torneys and marshals were allowed fees
not to exceed $4,000 and mileage, which,
in some cases, swelled the compensation
to as high as $4,000 and $4,000. Instead
of mileage at the rate of 10 cents per mile
each way. the amendment allows attor.
neys and marshals their actual travelling
expenses. 1t fixes the fees of United
States commissioners considerably below
the present scale. The debate was inter-
conferees on the Cuban resolutions
Messrs. Hit of Illinois, Adams Of Penn
sylvania, Republicans, and McCreary of
Kentucky, Democrat.
After the committee rose, without con.
tenplating the consideration of the bill. a
bill was passed appropriating 100000 for
the reconstruction of the Rock Island, ILL.,,
bridge, and then, at 5 30 p. m, the house
adjourned.
THE CUBAN QUESTION
WAsHIN GToN, March 5.-The conferees
of the two houses on the Cuban resolutions,
consisting of Senators Sherman, Morgan
and Lopge on the part of the senate. and
of Mrs. Hit, Adams and McCreary of the
house, reached a conclusion more spec dily
and with less difficulty in their conference
today than had been anticipated. The
consultation was of about forty minutes
duration. and it became apparent imme-
senate would be satisfied with the house
substitute. Senator Morgan was strongly
in favor of that clause of the house reso-
luton which contemplates intervention a
declaration which he had suggested should
be made when the question was before the
senate. There was mention made of the
possibilities of war with Spain as a result
of the action by congress, and the exclu-
sve statement concerning the position of
the administration in opposition to the
recognition made by the Associated Press
was also the subject Of some talk. So far
as the house is concerned the resolution is
q closed question for the present. There
will be no more debate, because it is only
necessary for the secretary of the senate
to report to the house that the senate con-
ferees have agreed to the house resolu-
tions.
PENSION BILLS
Senator Gallinger, chairman of the pen.
sions committee, today introduced in the
senate several bills bearing upon the pen.
sion laws. One of these provides that upon
the consideration of the application for a
pension under the pension laws, the fact
the applicant was accepted and mustered
into service shall be accepted as satisfac-
tory proof that he was of sound body and
mind. Of the other bills. one empowers
fourth-class postmasters to administer oath
to pensioners; one, in pension cases, the
oath OF private shall have equal weight
with the oath of an officer; one that the
failure OF q soldier to receive an honorable
discharge, providing there is no charge of
desertion against him, shall not be bar to
the granting of a pension to his widow or
those dependent upon him, in case of his
death.
ANOTHER CUBA RESOLUTION
Senator Allen today reintroduced his res.
olution requesting the president to recog-
nize the independence of Cuba. which was
voted down last Friday. 1t is joint reso.
luton. and if it should be adopted by both
houses would 60 to the president for his
signature or disapproval.
LEGISLATIVE NOTES
The senate in executive session con-
firmed the following nominations: Samuel
Comfort of New York, to be consul of the
United States at Bombay, India; Commo-
dore Thomas Selfridge, to be rear admiral
in the navy; also q number of promotions
in the army and navy.
The house committee on invalid pensions
today decided to report favorably the bill
passed by the senate granting to the widow
of ex-Secretary Gresham pension of 500
per month. Gen. w. w. Dudley addressed
the committee in advocacy of favorable
action on the measure. A favorable report
was also authorized on bill granting a
pension of $50 to the widow of General
Kalloy