The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-03-05
WEEK IN WASHINGTON.

WEEK IN WASHINGTON.
SUNDAY, FEB 23.-It was stated to-day that
Mrs. James @. Blaine, who is now in Au-
gusta. Me-, contemplstes the removal OF his
remains from Washington, and has in mind
the purchase OF an elevated site near the
city for their lsst resting place. This site is
about mile xrom Augusta, on the road to
Manchester, and is at present owned by Mr.
W. III. Gannett, wealthy Augusta publisher.
The place, which is very rural and beautiful
in its aspect
MONDAY FEB 24-An interesting report has
been issued by the United States Geological
Survey on the public lands now opened 10
entry and settlement, which embrace one
third of the whole extent OF the country,
exclusive OF Alaska. The relative location
and of this vast domain or free land Is
shown by a large cOiored map, and The dis
tribution is further illustrated ia The report
by means of diagrams showing the popor-
ton from each State aud Territory The
main point developed bv this report is that
the value of the lands of this unoccnnied third
OF the United States is dependent primarily
upon the water supply. Much OF II has been
reclaimed by irrigation. but by far the greater
portion cannot Re Irrigated, and has value
mainly for pasturase and for forest growth.
1t is urged tina; the great question beiore the
American people is how best TO utilize this
vast area TO develop it's agricultural Poss bill
ties and bow TO use that portion which can
not be cultivated for grazing and Tor the
production OF timber.
TUESDAY. FEB. 25-Ihe Secretary OF State is
advised that the claims OF Great Britain IN the
Venezuelan dispute viii very soon lie fur
nisbcd for he consideration OF the Boundary
Comm ission, and lie would not lie surprised
at any time TO hear that Her Majesty's Gov
eminent had appointed an attorney to present
her case. lB fact, such thing is not only
a 4 - i "a
been whispered that the selection is already
made The recent offer OF the Royal Geo
graphic Society to send Clement Il. Markham,
its Secretary. TO Washington with all the
evidence in its archives that bear upon the
case is tremendous concession, FOR that is
OF the Inost distinguished and conscrva-
tive of organ izations and has been even more
beliiEcTent iban t3te Marquis OF Salisbury in
its determination to mainJsin British rights
IN Yenczueia. hojuimt commission for a set
Element OF The Venezuelan question has ever
been proposed by either Government, not
withstaudiug reports 10 the contrary. VIII
liam j.. scruggs, 81 Georgia, formerly United
States Minister al Caracas has been appointed
AS counsel Of Venezuela before The Commits
sion. Mr.. ScrugEs is now in Washington,
where he has been for some time buslly en-
gagged in working on the case.
WEDNESDAY FEE 26.-lt WAS stated today
that Congress wall undoubtedly adjourn
early. Six OF the l3 general appropriation
bills have been passed by the House. enc
other has been debated and recommIiied with
instructions, one is now undcr consideration,
one is on the calendar, ard two more are
practically finished by committees and
ready Tor the Houses action whenever de-
sired. in sius disrosing OF these bills The
present House has broken all records for
the long session. The appropriation bills
that have been raised are: The Pension
i,s lad La - ii Ian Inc
Military Academy bill, reported Jan. IL aud
passed Jan. 20; The Jrgent Deficiency bill,
reported Jan. 20 and passed Jan. 81; the
Diplomatic and Consular bill, reported Jan
Y and passed Jan. 25 aud the Army bill. re-
ported Feb. , and passed Foe. 10.
THURSDAY. FEB. 27.-District Attorney Bir.
ney. acting under instructions from Attorney
General harmon. dismissed the indictments
against Col. J. o. u. burnside. formerly Dis
bursting Officer Of the Post Office Department,
ard sho has been confined in the Govern
ment insane asylum for y years. Col.
Burnside WAS charged with misapprcpria-
tiOn oi Government funds in his custody, aud
was seat 10 tho asylum as being irresponsible
fOf his actions ia regard to the Gefalcation.
This action viii clear the way for his dis
charge from confinement If his mental condi-
tien permits. Col. Burnside stood very high
socially. before his arrest
FRIDAY, FFB. 2s.-The Naval Register issued
differs If the Navy who are father and son
and have reached the highest olfainable rank
allowed by law. There is still third Der
Of this family in the Navy, younger brother
Who nsw holds the rank OF Lieutenant
Commander. Admiral Thomas o. Selfridge
heads The sfniOr officers GA the Retired List
where hc Issced soon after the war
His son. Commodore Scliridcc, is now the
senior Commodore but GA Feb q be becomes
The jnnlsr Beaf-AdmirAi or the service, his
promotion giving his roaarer brother
number. aad bringing all three members Of
she family stiil closer together ia iise matter
OF promotion. Commodore Seifrdge is now
commanding tlse Euroreaa station. aud has
three OF four years OF active duty still before
hiRl. ills promotion viii rcsait from the
tiremeHi OF Admiral Carpenter, recently de-
fachcG from tie AsIaiie station, and now al
his bolBe ia Aew Hampshire. TeE years ago
Commodore SeilridGe had a soB in the Navy
that Of tic family there were a Que Lime
four members ia the service. Tic senior
monihcF OF tie family Was appointed Mid
sbipuan IN The Navy 10 lSlS. served through
The war. aud Ia 1s6G Was retired with the
rank Of RcaT-A dnigH lis son Was APP
pointed 10 Tie Navy pa 1851. and became a
Commodore 1870 years ago. The younger
brother is uoa a LicateHaui-C Commander, aud
was appointed TO tie service in 1854.
bATURDsY. EEB 29.-Tbc monthly statement
OF the public debt, issued a. the Treasury,
shows tie public debt al the rlOse Of bus-
ness on Feb. %. less cash "a the Treasury 10
have been Sg57 OCT. 513. y decrease for The
month o, Sl5,g7s 76s Tho interest bearing
bonded debt, however. las been Increased
during ghe month by SO 2523J TINS
seeming Inconsistency is explained by the
fact liIat The payments On account of bond
purchases during the month are about
SlG.GGG 0O0 In excess Of the bonds delivered.
TIE increase in the cash last month was
S9l, II5, 225.
cEET OF THE CORRIDORS.
Senator Hill has begun another crusade. He