The sun., 1896-02-28
LIYE WASHINGTOS TOPICS.
The SENATE Votes to Pension n Mnu Who
Wns WOunded While PnsrinE a TARGET

Tho Senate Votes TO i'-n.,o. n Mnn Who
Was Wounded While Passing - Target.
WARRINGTON. Feb .s.-The Senate estab.
lshcd new class OF pensioners to-day tho
i'rst beneficiary being Christopher Schmidt, at
$40 per month. The bill WAS passed at the
instance OF Senator Hnwley with no opposition,
except D mild suggestion from Senator Pasco
OF Florida to the effect that lump sum might
DO given the claimant instead Of n monthly
stipend. The circumstances surrounding this
case are SO unique that in any other body but
the Senate they might hnvc led to some dis
cussion. Briefly stated the facts are that one
OF tho soldiers at Fort Smelling Mimi. while
engaged in target practice. aimed at the target
and hit u German citizen OF the name OF
schmidt who was passing along the road near
tho range. The surgeon of the post in his report
ni tn. case .sid that Schmidt was passing the
apparently en- ricocEet. entered about the CEN
!re OF tho left supraorbtsl arch, duplicating
THO f0ranen lGcerated the cyeball. passed d.
aKonally inward and downward. Rrazed the
riEht tonsll: and lodged on the right side OF the
the rternocleidNastoid muscle in the superior
triangle. The bill originally proposed To .pay
that as the ball lodged behind the ''sterno.
1siaG.sso,d e,n onId mussls M pension Of SO per
injury received.
Tho Senate Committee on Commerce this
nAoShihk oEuerru " IaVOraDle report on inc De-
troit Bridge bill. with an important amendment.
section four Of the bill was stricken out and
visions. It carefully guards the rights OF all
bridge proper. hut ali the terminal lands and
faculties Of the Michigan Central. In whose
to tho piers Of the proposed bridge are un-
ohanxed: They provide for two piers in the
riyer rive With clear channel Of not loss than 100
Iect. CLEAR head room available for vessels is
fixed at less than li0 feet at the mean stage Of
water water Tho bridge is to be constructed Of three
nnoroken continuous spans and located within
tho limits of the city OF Detroit.
An interesting report has Just been issued by
the United States Geological Survey on the pub
lie lands now opened to entry and settlement,
location and area of this vast domain Of free
distribution is further illustrated in the report
ny n"ans n q aaErs,ns; showing tho proportion
OF the land is described in general terms, and
shown by coored map exhibiting the forests.
uont wJod'anas, and grazing area The main
tho value Of tie lands of this nnoccupiel s third
of tn. United States is dependent primarily
reclaimed by irrigation. but by far the greater
pnrtl"n cannot be irrigated and has value
1t is urged that the great question before the
American people is how best to utilize this vast
apd rea how asHeop s mop ha, 1s
cultivated tor grazing and for the production OF
timber.
district Attorney Birney. acting under in
structions from Attorney 6 eneral Harmon,
will dismiss the indictments against Col j. o.
7. Burnside, formerly disburSing officer Of the
Post Ofice Department. and who has been con-
fined In the Government insane asylum for
twelve years. Col. Burnside was charged with
custody. and was sent to the asylum as being
irresponsible for his actions in regard to the de-
falcation. This action Will clear the way for
his discharge from confinement II his mental
condition permits. Col. burnside stood very
high socially before his arrest