New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-23
HAVING FUN WITH UNCLE JOE"

WHY THE HOUSE DISAGREED TO THE CONFER
ENCE REPORT ON THE sUNDRY
CIVIL BILL.
Washington. May % (Special).-In the House Of
Representatives this afternoon 1.-THE boys had some
fun with Uncle Joe" Uncle Joe" Is Chairman Can
non. Of the Committee Appropriations. and he did
not enjoy the fun On the contrary he paced the floor
In a high state Of excitement and waved his arms
wildly In a vain attempt to 'shoo' the Republicans
into line. The trouble all caused by Senate
amendment to the Sundiy Civil bill, to which the
House conferrees had agreed, and IN which they
recommended that the House concur II was a little
item Of 1880. purchase of $500
alleged historical work for the enlightenment and
diversion of Senators and Representatives and their
constituents and for the solace and enjoyment of
American Ambassadors and Ministers abroad and OF
the officers of the Navy afoat. we'll OF persons
confined In United States prisons and for the In
structon OF number Of other persons in official and
private life. including the President President,
each member of the Cabinet, the Chief Justice and
each Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. and
This valuable historical publication Is enti-
tied Important Periods in the History of the United
States Portraits Of the Presidents Of the United
States and the Seal Of the United States and Seals
of the Executive. Judicial and Legislative Depart
ments Of the Government" and its author or COM
piler is General James d. Mcbride
Just how 1t happened nobody will ever know.
Perhaps some envious historian whose name is bet
ter known in the field Of historical literature than
General McBrides some enterprising publisher
Of standard historical works may have put him
upon the trail; but certain 1t Is that Mr. Bartlett
Of New-York was loaded and primed for an
to this item to-day, and the manner In which he
great historical work cruel in the extreme. His
words might not have produced a deep impression
had somehow som e Possessed himself Of copies on an
larged scale OF the portraits etc. and these he
LOSING 10 show that General Mcbride had copied
that historian verbatim mistakes and all; More
members and then the fate Of the item was sealed
The only way to reach IT, howeveT was to reject erect
yea and nay vote by a majority Of nearly a
OF course. that threw all the Senate amendments
open. and the friends Of the amendments making
House conferrees had disagreed quick to seize
the opportunity: These AMENDMENTS altogether car
agreed TO- however. unsuccessful, and the bill
was sent back TO conference VIII 1l al the senate
THE NAVAL PERSONNEL BILL DRAWN UP.
Washington May 22-The bill to increase the EN-
cicncy Of the personnel of the Navy which has been
under consideration for several months by sub
committee Of the House Naval Affairs Committee.
has been practically completed and is being put
in proper form to be laid before the full committee
early next week. 1t is a composite measure. en-
bodytng tho principal features Of the bills be-
fore tho committee TO reorganze the Medical Pay
and Engineer Corps OF the Navy. we'll the
much discussed bill Of the last Congress promote
the efficiency Of the line. The essential feature Of
the old bill, namely to relieve the hump" has been
retained. The hump" 10 a distinctive term, which
applies TO the 1876 officers the active list OF the
limo who appointed between 1860 and 1867 Those
who have intelligent understanding of the needs
Of the Navy have long asserted that systematic
scheme Of remedying existing evils be devised
until this congested portion Of the list is reduced
The solution Of this problem Is thought lie in the
transferrence OF these officers from the going
class to duties which are properly performed by
Naval officers The plan combines economical and
military advantages. as we'll as furnishing valuable
reserve for the Government to draw In the event
OF
The composite bill also preserves the essential feat
ures Of the engineers BILL which include the provi-
sions bearing upon the rank title and number Of en-
gineers. as we'll as the section permitting graduates
the Engineer Corps. II also provides a positive
rank and title for the members OF the Medical and
Fay Corps, and Ia designed In short TO meet every
existing want connected with the personnel OF the
Navy.
WORK OF THE PENSION COMMITTEES.
Washington, May 1-At the evening session OF
the House Mr.. Erdman (Dem.. PENN submitted a
series OF tables showing in detail the work of the
Committees on Pensions and Invalid Pensions at
ths session OF Congress From this appeared that
the committees had reported bills to pension the
number given of each OF the following grades OF
officers or their widows: heterogeneous Oncludng
four rear admirals) B brgadier- generals 0ncludng
two commodores In the Navy. 26 coloneis rs: lieu
tenant-coioncls. T. majors 10; captains 49, first lieu
tenants 49, second lieutenants, 2. The average an
nai pensions granted to these ranged from 1912 for
nrst hsutensnts to ss1 for major.generals the gen.