New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-20
HE MAY DRAW TWO SALARIES.
BOWLER UNEARTHs a STATUTE COVERING THE
CASE OLE COMMANDER RRICE

BOWLER rNEARTHS a STATUTE CpNEfIN' Iffh
CASE OF COMMANDER BRIcE
Washington. March 10 (SpeciaD.-R. II. Bowler.
the omnlscient and omnipotent Controller Of the
Treasury whose feeblest fats are accepted as law
both for this and other continents has settled. on
hand all possible doubts felt by other coordinate
branches of the Government as TO the iegaHty OF
Mr. Clevelands recent appointment OF Fish COM
missioner Commander Brice. whose nomination IS
now pending In Senate. is naval officer draw
Ing pay on the retired list and some OF his opponents
have alleged that on that account he was dsquall-
fed from holding any Federal office Bowler mas
relieved the Commanders suspense by announcing
that the law prohibiting any officer OF the Chited
States from holding two Offices the combined COM
pensaton Of which exceeds $3.50 does not apply to
his case for the reason that retired naval officers
are expressly exempted from the prohibition IN
question. In support Of this statement ne quotes
Section Of the Legislative, Judicial and Executive
Appropriation bill approved July 81. 1894. as follows
No person who holds Office the salary or com
pensaton attached TO which amounts to the sum OF
$3.50 shall be appointed to or mold any other once
10 which compensation is attached unless specially
heretofore hereafter specially authorized thereto
by Du or 's o thew NAV be elected to
public office. or whenever me PRESIDENT shan APP
point them to office by and with the advice ana con-
of the Senate.
This statute seems TO cover the case and TO indi-
cate clearly that Commander Brice may accept the
civil office without sacrificing his pay as an officer
mander Brce viii undoubtedly be allowed by Bowler
to draw a regular salary.
DEMOCRATIC SENATORS IN CAUCUS.
NoN-pARTIsAN DISTRIBUTION OF PATRONAGE
FAVORED.
Washington, March 19.-The Democratic members
of the Senate held caucus this afternoon after the
adjournment of the Senate for the purpose OF dis
cussing the question OF patronage The PROPOSE
ton upon which Senator German, representing the
Democrats and Senator Elkins. representing the
Republicans have been working for several weeks
was submitted to the caucus. and appeared to meet
with favorable consideration This proposition pro-
vides for a non partisan distribution OF the pat
ronage equally among the ninety Senators VINO com
rosa the body There are about eighteen employees
,ho from long years of experience have become IN
"a uahle TO the Senate and these men Will pe
n,aced on n list and charged up to the Senate as
hodv The other places will then be distributed
aoua,lv There were ten Democrats who ceased 10
10 ,,eubers OF the Senate with the last session
nd their successors have no one In once tnroush
their influence The same Is true OF 'he ne" ne
oa,,rse revision of this sort means that SON.
80 The employees will have TO CO. ana they VIII
OF ttnh,y h. those whose Senators have lost neir
proDapayn uho are therefore, no longer win sen
seats, acking The whole subject. aiter discus
SION was nu, confer with the similar committee TOT
ponmbiicans and. after caucus IL Is peheveu;
the ~ after will settled on the basis nereir
the Wnon,e No other subject was brought up IN the
caucus