The National tribune., 1897-12-16
WEEK IN WASHINGTON.
Events OF General Interest in the National
Capital.

TUESDAY, DEC. THE House Commit
tee on War Claims made n favorable re
port on the bill to authorize the Secretary
OF War To investigate and provide for the
payment of all claims for the use and
occupation of and damages to- church
and school buildings and grounds fol
Government purposes by the United
States military authorities during the
rebellion. The committee indorse the
provisions for a tribunal Tor their invest
cation and determination.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. S.-A petition signed
by 5000 veteran inmates OF the Central
Branch, National Military Home near
this city, was received by Senator Hanna
to present to Congress. The petition sus-
tains the proposition OF Gen. Breckin-
ridge, Inspector General OF the Army, to
change the management Of all Soldiers
Homes 50 that the Secretary Of War will
have direct control Of the same. The
veterans especially commend he recon-
mendation of Gen. Breckenridge, provid
ing for Communication of rationS while on
furlough or permanent leave from the
Home.
THURSDAY, DEC. 9.-The House Com
mittee on Invalid Pensions met and took
action that is intended to correct the al
legged abuse OF young women marrying
old soldiers and sailors for the purpose of
becoming their widows and drawing "a
pension from the Government. The com
mittee authorized Chairman Ray 10 OBJ
tain from the Committee on Rules an
order nr rule permitting an amendment
to the Pension appropriation bill provd
ing that no pension shall hereafter be
granted to the widow OF a soldier Of the
late war or other person who is married
TO such soldier or person after the pas
sage Of this act.
FRIDAY, DEC. ln--It was announced that
Representative Johnson, of North Da-
L., Il
complete determination of the seal herd
of Bering Sea 1t is on the lines Of the
bill proposed last year by Representative
Dingley, but is much more brief and
makes the determination unconditional
Mr.. Johnson says the recent Boring Sea
negotiations have further demonstrated
the impossibility of stopping seal poacl-
ing. The seals have yielded the Govern
ment practically nothing. In the mean
time, MIR. Johnson points out, the Gov
crnmcnt has spent hundreds Of thou
sands Of dollars in commissions, and in
maintaining patrol OF ships in Boring
Sea.--A complaint reached the Treas
ury officials regarding the taxing Of
American miners outfits by the Cana
dian Government, and il will probably
be referred 10 the State Department as ii
III subject for diplomatic negotiations.
Under the existing Canadian regulations
miners outfits carried across the border
mum tit N'ftttu totdtCS, WHICH are IN
tended ior personal use only in the kion-
dixie gold fields, are not dutiablc. De
spite this supposed provision nforma-
tiSn has reached the Treasury Depart
ment 10 the effect that many miners
rom TINS country, crossing Canadian
territory IN order to reach the Klondike,
nave been required to pay a duty Of 35
per cent. ad valorem on their outfits,
every article having been subjected to "a
rigid scrutiny.
SATURDAY, DEC. Republican Reprc-
sentatives tothe number of about Ga met
y States being represented, to devise
means 10 secure change in the Civil |
Service law. Representative Hepburn
acted as Chairman. The discussion took |
wide range, but in the main was TEN
peratc ard conservative. The main !
speakers were Representatives Gros-
venor, Connolly, Evans, Faris. Mahany. |
and Dorr. Ii was finally determined To |
name a committee TO devise a plan of |
action The Chairman named the fol- |
lowing committee Grosvenor Hepburn.
Pearson, Tawncy, Evans, O'Dcli and |
Steele.
Dyspepsia Leada che and all stn,.,.cl