Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-02-26
To Repeal the Highway Act.
CAPITOL TOPICS.
To ReOrRanfze the Navy.

Io NeOFBuH1zc the Navy
\ petition was presented to the Senate
today by Mr.. Mcmillan from the Marine
Engineers Beneficial Association. No 90, Of
the District of Columbia asking for speedy
action on the bill to organize and increase
the efficiency of the navy-House bill 3GIS.
The petitioners state: 1T is hardly neces-
sary, SO plain are all the facts that support
our contention, to urge upon the naval au-
thoritiss the Iced of providing more efIi-
Gent and speedy means 10 add to our en-
greer corps when necessary. 1t Is evident
that the whole strength Of OUR navy rests
ultimately on this branch. The fact that
ships of war at the present day de-
pend no longer on sails for their evo-
luton is self-evident, and they are
row only huge machines obedient to
the engineer who in the bowels of
the vessel must obey the slightest sig
nal of the captain. The slightest mistake
or hesitancy on his part may not only set
tie the fate of the dreadful conflict going
on above him against his side, but 1t may
also be the means of terminating the war
d1sastrously for his country. If no pro-
vision is made now SO that the present
force of engineers can be rapidly succeed
Ell by equally competent men in time Of
war, of what avail are our guns, though
they are the most perfect that can he made
or of what avail that millions of dollars
should be spent on ships that are the envy
OF other nations, or that our men are the
brdVest. our officers the best-trained in
their duties? The bill 10 place all the per-
sons licensed as engineers i'll United States
vessels in the naval reserve is most COM
nendabie. likewise the provision that none
shall be licensed as engineers on United
states vessels except bona fide citizens"
The same petitioners also urged tn. mas
sage of Senate bill 1912.
Proposed Rank for Gen, Howard.
A bill was today introduced in the Senate
BY Mr.. Hale authorizing The President to
appoint Major General O. Q. Howard, re-
ured. lieutenant general on the retired
list OF the army.
The Willamette River.
The Secretary of War today transmitted
10 Congress report of a survey of Villa
mette river. Ore. 1t Is believed that an ex
penditure of Sl3I.6j0 is justified on account
vi 'he commercial Importance of the river
In Favor of McLaurin.
Elections committee of the House today
unanimously decided to report in favor of
Mcl-aurln. the sitting member, in the case
OF wilson VS. McLaurin, from the sixtb
South Carolina district and fatimer tha
sittihS member, in the case in which Moor
man was the contestant, from the third
South Carolina district.
a Pension for Mrs. Sutherland.
The House committee on pensions today
reported favorably a bill to grant a pen
sion OF $fo a month to the widow of Surgeon
General Sutherland.
The Post Office Appropriation Bill.
The House post office committee today
decided TO insert in the post office appro-
priation the following items: For special
facilities on trunk lines from Boston,
Mass, by way of New York and Washing
ton to Atlanta and New Orleans $196614:
for special facilities from Kansas City,
n tn
facilities from Chicago to Council Bluffs.
via Burlington, $1OO,GOO. The bill is now
completed and ready to be reported to the
House.
MIR. Loud. chairman of the committee
opposed each of these items in committee
and states that he will endeavor to have
them defeated In the House.
Desires q Reduction.
Senator Chandler of New Hampshire has
introduced In the Senate two resolutions
contemplating an inquiry into the expendi-
lures OF the Senate. with a view to reduce
ing them.