The National tribune., 1898-03-10
WEEK IN WASHINGTON.
Events of General Interest in the National
Capital.

MONDAY, Feb. 2S.-The pensionabIe right
OF a certain class OF widows of war vet
Grams entitled 10 pension was fought over
again in the House Committee on Invalid
Pensions. The willows being finally sus-
tanned. The issue was raised on the
motion to report faVorably the Smith bill,
declaring that hereafter no pension, I'M
der any law, shall be granted or paid to
the widow unless her marriage to the
soldier occurred prior TO this enactment
to be fully established, or shall take
place hereafter and prior TO or during the
military or naval service oi such veteran
The motion was finally lost by a vote Of
to 7.
TUESDAY, March The comparative
statement OF the Government receipts
and expenditures, issued today, shows
that the total receipts during February
amounted TO S2S, 5I2 35S, and the eypendi-
lures S2j, $50, 255, leaving a surplus Of
Sl973, l03. For the month OF February,
1871, there was a deficit OF 1895 0j9.
There was a decrease in the expandi-
lures for February as compared with the
same month last year of over 81 00D 900
The surplus for the eight months of the
present fiscal year is shown to be SO 90
l35. The monthly Treasury statement of
the public debt shows that the debt less
cash in the Treasury at the close of
business yesterday amounted to 81 ,0t0-
1926, IL decrease for the month of
81 ,5)7 122 This decrease is accounted
for by corresponding increase in the
cash
WEDNESDAY,, March 2-After having
made arrangements, or its Klondike re-
lief expedition and brought 500 reindeer
with keepers all the way from Norway,
the War Department has decided to
abandon the expedition because the con-
clusion has now been reached that no
necessity exists for it. Secretary Alger
has written letter Senator Hluie.y
Chairman OF the Senate Committee on
Military Affairs, explaining the Depart
ment's position and asking that Con-
gress take action by joint resolution
authorizing the Department to dispose of
the supplies purchased for the exDedi-
ton, including the reindeer which have
just arrived from Norway, and to aban-
don the project entirely. In his letter
Secretary Alger says the conditions on
the Yukon have changed so to render
the expedition unnecessary and that
Gen. Miles and Gen. Merriam both agree
with him. Gen. AIger expresses the
opinion that the reindeer can be sold at
price sufficient to reimburse the Gov
eminent for their cost.
March 3.-The Executive
Committee of the Republican Congress
ional Committee was announced as fol
lows: Representatives j. A. T. Hull of
Iowa; j. q. Cannon, Illinois; ID. II.
Mercer, Nebraska; Senators Eedfield
Proctor, Vermont: j. II. Gallinger New
Hampshire; John l.. Wilson, Washing
ton; and Representatives j. r. Nc
Cleary, Minnesota; III. {. Loudenslager, |
New Jersey, and Richmond Pearson,
North Carolina. Representative Nc |
Cieary, of Minnesota, will have charge of |
tina literary department Of the Congress |
ional Committee. A large amount Of Re |
publican literature will be put out in this |
campaign. Chairman BabcOclS, of the !
Congressional Committee said: "The |
coming campaign will be fought ON the |
lines of the platform adopted at St Louis.
That will be our only guide, save as new
issues are created as contingencies arise |
and new policies made in Congress. No
Committee has a right to make plat
form for the party, and so we will be
governed by that adopted in 1896
FRIDAY, March 4.-The Cabinet to-day
took energetic action in the case Of
Fraser S. Baker, the colored Postmaster
at Lake City, >. c., who was recently
shot to death by unknown men. A re
port on the case was presented by Post
master General Gary. The action was
taken by the Cabinet favorable to offer
ing rewards for apprehension and con
vlctlon OF the guilty persons. 1t is
probable that the postolIice Department
VIII detail other inspectors to assist |
those now in the field in ferreting ont
the nurdereTS and the rewards offered it
is believed, VIII induce private detectives
To work on the case. 1t is said that At |
torney General Griggs holds the opinion
that the Federal Government will have
jurisdiction over the murdcrers when
captured, unless they are first taken by
the State authorities.
SATURDAY, March 5.--The Civil Service
Commission has completed the compila-
ton of information for Subnl: sSion to
Congress regarding the alleged effect Of
the enactment into law of the Evans
bill, now pending in the House. This