The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-02-04
WEEK I'M WASHINGTON.

WEEK in WASHING Jun.
MONDAY, JAN. 25.-An important question af-
feciing the criminal liability Of Government
officers reporting upon public matters was
referred to the Attorney General for an opin-
son. The case arose out of the action of the
Grand Jury OF Juneau, Alaska in returni ing
an indictment for criminal libel against JOS
eph Murray, who was connected with The
Treasury Department in 1885 as Special
Agent and who during that year, made an
exhaustive report criticizing the methods of
administering Justice in our northwestern
possession. Mr.. Murray was ordered to
Alaska ia 1895 TO investigate Treasury ques-
lions and 10 ascertain what infractions OF the
revenue laws occurred aud how they were
punished. Mr.. Murray made a long report
10 the Department. in which he set forth that
The law that was intended to do good was a
subject of derision and contempt" and gave
extracts from conversations he had with high
business men of Alaska, stating how the
District Attorneys and even Judges were act
ing in accordance with tho wishes oil lot oil
criminals.
TUESDAY. JAN. ga massmceting of citizens
was held today, at which resolutions unani-
mously indorsing the arbitration treaty were
adoried This resolution was presented by
Col. George Truesdell Commissioners OF the
District OF Columbia, at the close OF . two
hours meeting, during which speeches In
favor OF the treaty were made by representa-
tive men. the large audience heartily ap-
plauG;ng each patriotic and Humanitarian
sentiment expressed. The call for the meet
ing was signed by ex-Secretary John W.
Foster. who succeeded Mr. Blaine as Secre-
tary cf State in President Harrison S Cabinet:
Chief Justice Melville W. Fuller, of the
United States Supreme Court: Bishop John
i. Hurst: Bishop Henry Y. Satteflee; Presi-
dent il. J.. Whitman. of Columbian Univcr-
siiy; Rev. Dr. ID. ]. Stafford. and other propi-
inent citizens. The purpose of the meeting
WAS stated in the cali 10 he the public attesta-
ton of the appreciation of the great principles
of arbitration embodied in the pending
treaty. The audience was a distinguished
one and included the delegates to the meet
ing of the National Beard of Trade now in
session here.
WEDNESDAY, JAM 2z.-The House Commit
tee on Pensions decided to report bill in
creasing from Sl7 to $50 month the pension
of Mrs. Margaret Custer Calhoun, the widow
of Lieut.. james Calhoun, of the 9Th Cav. and
sister of Gen. Custer, who was killed in the
Little Big Horn battle. Mrs. Cslhoun's bus-
band and three brothers were killed on that
occasion, and nephew also. The Committee
also decided to report bill to pension Sarah
Wharton, an aged unmarried lady, who is
the daughter of Samuel Wharton. who served
IN Virginia regiment during the Revolu.
ton
THURSDAY, JAN. 2s.-The monthly report of
the collections of internal revenue shows that
during December the collections from all
sources amounted to $l3. 266 1872. and for the
six months OF the present fiscal year. 1887
GA. This is an increase for the month Of
$751;, o59. and for the six months, $3.50, 102
The collections from the several sources Of
revenue, and the increase decrease, as
compared with December, 1895, is given as:
Spirits, S. 36S. Sal, increase, $S27,0S5; to
bacco, s. 42l ,sr4. increase, $l09. 967; fer
mented liquors. s.. 32s. le5, decrease, o676;
oleomsrgarine, $40, 679. decrease, $6.674;
filed cheese. $645; miscellaneous. $45.224,
decrease S5.0s6 For the six months the de-
crease in receipts from cigars and manufac-
tured tobacco is 81, 069 075. a loss Of SAB from
fermented liquors, and an increase of 81 1924,
652 from spirits.
FRIDAY. JAN. 29.-Word was received ct the
Catholic University that Bishop John ].
Keane, former Rector Of the Catholic Uni
versity at Washington, and who was recently
appointed Bishop Assistant at the Pontifcal
Throne and who wss later made C0nsultor
TO the Congregations of the Propaganda and
Studies, has been appointed Canon of ST.
John Lateran. By making Bishop Keane an
Archbishop and Assistant at the Pontifcal
Throne the Pope has elevated his rank in
the Church SO that there are but two higher,
those of Patriarch and Cardinal. Through
his appointment ss Canon be will receive the
money necessary to enable him to live in
Rome, and as Consultor to the Congregation
he will be useful both to the Roman autbori-
ties and to the Church in this country. Bishop
Keane will now take Up his residence in Rome
for period as yet undetermined. but lasting
three or more years. During this time he
will be enabled to leave Rome only by special
permission. owing to his duties as Canon, as
will be explained. The appointment a.
Canon is one Of the most lucrative gifts in
Rome in the power Of the Pope.
SATURDAY, JAN. 30-Secretary Olney and Sir
Julian Pauncefote signed the convention for
the definition by commission of SO much of
the borndsry-line between Alaska and the
British possessions as is marked by the 1llst
meridian. The treaty provides commission
of four members. who win be agreed on here
after, and will be sent to the Senate on Mon
day. Its purpose is to settle beyond doubt the
exact location of the meridian, and thus pre-
vent the clashing between the miners, who
have been attracted in large numbers to the
vicinity of the boundary, and the local off,
cials of the two countries. The 141st me.
ridian west longitude was not selected as the
boundary-line by Secretary Olney and Sir
Julian Panncefote, but Was laid down as the
division in the treaty of cession by which
Alaska was passed by Russia to the United
States. The difficulty has been to tell just
where the meridian actually runs.
EUEDAY, JAN. 24-It was stated on GOOD
authority to-day that Charles G. Dawes Of
Evanston, III. has the best chance to sue.
coed James Ii. Eekels as Controller of the
Currency. he is at present a member of the
Republican National Executive Committee
and has achieved great success both at the
bar In Nebraska and in business c;rcles IN
Chicago during the past three years. He ia
the author of q work on banking. which is
said to be most valuable treatise on the
subjects considered.
rpsr m TUE cn0nyn nur