The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-01-06
COL" LEWIS TALKS BIG.
lie Declines Twenty Dollars IA Day "a
Beneath ftf- Merits


Washington City. Jan 5.-Special.-Col
James Hamilton Lewis has returned 10
NashinEton City after spending the
christmas holidays al the old family cOun-
try home at Sylvania Ga. where the Yuie-
tide was celebrated In the old time hospi-
table fashion. 1t is learned at the state
department that before Lewis went away
he declined the European commission that
had been offered him and which he had
intended 10 accept. because Of a mlsunder-
standing as to salary, and because there
was no appropriation 70 cover expenses
or the sea voyage and other iEcidentals
or the commission.
Assistant Secretary Of state Uhl explain
ed 10 Col Lewis al length that there was
a deficiency In the consular approprla-
tons and that the court expenses through
many states OF the Union had not We tbeen
met. While there would I've a probability
or getting a special appropriation for the
expenses of this commission from the urcs-
ent congress. il would not be available
before some time next summer The sec
retary stated 10 the gentlemen compris-
ing the consular commission that they
might go al once upon their mission but
that it would be at the compensation here
tofore announced. 81 day during actual
service-the compensation ~ a United
States commissioner Otherwise the mat
ter viii have 10 wait until next April. or
even later. in order TO have expenses ad-
vanCed.
Lewis was not favorable to this plan.
and for himself urged the refusal OF the
commission 20 accent IL. He told the sec
retary that it was not on 4 parallel with
tho position ne held I'm his party 10 accent
such a small compensation. notwithstand-
ing the office was considerable Of sine
cure lie also stated that he was not In
favor OF accepting for the Democracy Of
the state Of Washington 50 small recog-
milton In the foreign service He is report
e3 20 have also told the secretary that un-
less the mission could he placed on the
level of a special envoy or special court
he would prefer 20 wait and take his
chances fer Soma thing consistent with his
Standing in his own home. that he would
not minimize himself or his party in the
state" The matter Is stll undecided hut
it is very likely that the commits issio1 viii
never be formed again. The president has
recommendei an examining board for an
consuis, which VIII be q saving Of ex-
poHSe
The secretary said yesterday that while
Lewis vas rot he only man Who conduct
q himself as though ne felf himself big
ce~ than the state department. he was the
FIRST man coming under hs notice who
would NOT fake an office. especially one
that paid So j day. and gave the epportu-
uirv ~ a visit 20 Europe
purtr- a portion Of the tjme Col Lewis
has been absent from the City he has bon
a guest ~ senator Daniel II the latter's
home In Virginia
The Noristrom murder caSa. IN which
Lewis Is counsel for che defense VIII
r~ona isis be taken ur in a few 3svs uy fh-
United states supreme court Both fhe
s.ate ~ Wash.rEtou and eh~ DEFENDANTS
attorneys are anxious 70 have tne matter
ADVANCED an1 get an early dSrfs.o0 on ths
points raised ~ tne ,atte~ Attorney CEN
e~et T,rsS has asked R-r~fsar*a atfEa = -