Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-07-15
THE UNION PACIFIC.
A Discussion of the Affairs of the
Railroad in the Senate.
no BUSINESS DONE IN THE HOUSE.
sistant Secretary Davis Cabinet VIII
Consider the Order Reducing PEN
sion Agencies Hawaiian Affairs.

pied the attention of the senate YES
terday The deficiency appropriation
bill was taken up early in the day,
and Mr.. Morgan proposed an amend
ment designed to prevent the consum-
nation of the agreement made some
time since for the settlement of the
governments claims against the road.
Mr.. Morgan spoke throughout the day,
severely arraigning the Pacific rail
road managers Later in the day the
entire subject was disposed of by the
withdrawal of the paragraph to which
Mr.. Morgan had offered his amend.
ment. The deficiency appropriation
bill was not completed up to the time
of adjournment.
A resolution by Mr.. Butler, of North
Carolina, was agreed to, directing the
secretary of state to secure from diplo-
matte representatives abroad full in
formation as to the operation of postal
telegraphs, telephones and postal
savings banks.
On account of the death of Senator
Harris, as soon as the journal had been
read, the house on motion of Mr.. Moon,
OF Tennessee, as mark of respect to
the memory of the deceased senator,
suspended business until to-day.
A PENSION DECISION.
WASHINGTON, July l3.-An important
decision constituting the rights of PEN
sion claimants in line of duty cases
was rendered yesterday by Second AS
sistant Secretary of the Interior Web
ster Davis. The issue is made in the
case Of Henry Miller, private in COM
pany X, One Hundred and First Ohio
infantry. After being relieved from
guard duty one day, Miller volun-
tarily assisted teamster in watering
mules, and while so occupied was
fired upon and injured. The depart
ment heretofore has rejected such
cases as not in the line of duty, AS
sistant Secretary Davis, however, re-
verses the pension bureaus action,
holds that the claimant was not dis
obeying orders nor violating army
regulations, but was aiding comrade
in protecting government property;
was doing something which he not only
had right to do, but was commenda-
Bile, and also was acting in the line of
duty The adoption OF this policy will
affect many claims. The case is held
to be practically similar to that Of a
soldier hurt by the enemy firing on
him while he was off duty in his tent,
in pursuance of any employment at
which he had right to be employed.
CONSOLIDATION OF PENSION AGENCIES.
WASHINGTON, July 1S--At the cab
met meeting to-day it is likely that in
addition to the considerations to be
given the currency measure, the presi-
dents order, now only awaiting his
relative to the consolidation
of pension agencies, will be brought
up in some form. The Cleveland order
reducing the agencies from Is to nine
was to take effect September I next,
and to-day in all probability the cabi-
net will be definitely advised and con-
suited as to the document. The order
as now framed will merely suspend the
out of the consolidation order
Of the last administration until fur
Their notice. There is feeling that in
time all pension payments should be
paid from the agency at Washington
and the administrations view IS thatit
night be better to take this radical
action when any change is made in the
system For the present, however, the
operation of the old order is simply
consolidation as provided
or being regarded as impracticable
low and involving too much cost and
inconvenience,
LOOKING AFTER HAWAII
WASHINGTON July l9.-The admins
ration has taken steps to keep its
rip on Hawaii An aggressive inter-
erence on the part of Japan will re-
ult in the landing Of marines and the
oisting of the American flag, with or
Without the ratification of the annexa-
ion treaty Rear Admiral Beardsley
'ill have, when the next steamer ar ..
ives in Honolulu instructions giving
in power to act at the first sign'of
Z gression on the part of Japan or
ronble of any kind with which the
zeal authorities are not able to cope.