Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-01-24

committee report, based on the vigorous
protest recently made, that felhstatc-
ments would work hardship on others IN
retarding promotion, says his appoint
ment will not effect in the slightest de-
gree any officer now regularly comnils-
stoned ana estimates that by June mere
will be about Is vacancies in the engineer
corps.
Largely signed petitions from Ports
mouth NJ H. and surrounding towns IN
York county Ne were presented to
Congress. asking that the historic frigate
Constitution be rebuilt al the kittefy
navy yard The petitions were presented
10 Speaker Reed and copy sent to each
member Of the Maine delegation. A gem
tlcman who has just returned IRON
Washington states that Speaker Reed
and other members of the Maine dele
cation strongly favor the construction Oh
a dry dock at that navy yard where therc
Is ample depth of water FOR the largest
ships Of the navy to be locked. ANA says
the outlook for u dock there is very
favorable.
The Senate committee Of appropriation
Saturday. concluded It's consideration ol
tht. executive, legislative ana judicial APP
propriation bill and Senator cullom re-
ported il TO the Senate. AS reported. the
bin carries an aggregate appropriation
of 81 so 300. q net increase over the
House bill Of $a5.3lJ one OF Inc most
important amendments adopted IS a pro-
vision for opening the Congressional
library at night. For this purpose ~ ad-
ditional clerks are allowed. AZ an asgfr-
gate cost Of ST. 40 per year. Another
amendment permits collectors OF customs
at ports where there are no immigration
officers to execute the immigration and
alien contract labor laws
Secretary Long believes that an erro-
ncous construction has been placed on
Assistant Secretary RooScN"itS letter to
the House naval committee comparing
4. to
our dctrimeut The secretary says that
instead Of being unpreparcd for war. our
navy IS as efficient ship for snip. as that
Of any other natipn. while our ships com
pare faVorablT with amy In the world.
Instead of allowing the older ships 70 be-
como non-etiicient, he department has
been steadily ANA Systematically reno
waiting them and bringing their batteries
up To date as exhibited in thu treatment
Of the Atlanta. Charleston Boston. New
ark and other ships.
Tie Senate spent two hours id cxccu-
tive session. Saturday in discussing the
nomination III Gen. Longstreet ia ne com
missioner at railroads. which nomination
uHd come over from Thursday. brcauSt pf
an objection made Dy Senator Vest when
the nomination was taken Nip MIR. Vest
tools the floor aud opposed confirmation
in sharp 1ua vigorous speech. Ht WAS
followed uu The Same side III ihe arEI-
ment las Senators Daniel Berry ANA Cat-
ferry. The opposition was based upon az
general ground pf Gen. InugSlrct{- cot-
nection with the Kellogg Yarmouth fac
ton iu Louisiana iu the reconstruction
DAYS 81 mat state The sot- FOR uu-
urmHtiou N@r "i ~ ~.
Replies tn th. circular sent sd tuny Post
master General Glfr asking what S8t-
inEs could tx, mad. EN- the administration
~ their offices during the remainder OF
lhc fiscal year III order ta avert dcti-
cheney i'm thr postal appropriation ntv~