The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-07-08
RAPID PROMOTION.
Charge That General CorbIn Has
Been Advanced by Political
Favoritism.

Washington, July Slate yesterday
afternoon a bill comforting upon Ad-
jutant General Corbin the rank, pay
and allowance of a major general was
passed by the senate. When unanimous
consent was asked by Mr.. SeWeu (Rep.
N j., for consideration of the BILL Mr..
Pettus Dem, Ala.), objected. How
ever, by a vote the senate decided to
consider the bill. Mr.. Pettus sharply
criticised the measure and charged
that General COrbin had been rapidly
promoted by reason Of political faVorit-
ism. This charge brought several SEN
atOrs to their feet, among whom were
MeSSrS. Bate, PaScO and Bacon
Oems), all of whom referred to Cen
eraI Gorbin's distinguished ability and
special fitness for the position he Occu-
pied.
Mr. Morgan said that while no doubt
General Corbin was a deserving officer,
this was a piece of personal favoritism,
and senators were now engaging in re-
turning favors.
Il have no doubt" he continued,
that General Corbin has rendered acts
of conspicuous service which some Of
our friends on this floor appreciate
very highly, for we have handed down
the names of almost every distinguish
ed man on this floor amongst the COM
miSSiOned officers of the army, and Gen.
COrbin has had a part in that. l thank
him for it. I am sorry I did not have
somebody to put in. What are we do
ing here except returning compliments
to a gentleman who has had the OppOr-
tUnity and exercised it very graciOusly
OF comforting titles and commissions
upon our sons"
There was no division on the vote by
which the bill was passed.
During the greater part of the ses-
sion, the senate considered unObjected
bills on the general calendar, passing
large number of them.
The bill permitting the secretary of
war, in his discretion, to have erected
hn Tnr1Tr -4r1wn \ IL
nee for religious worship was passed
without amendments. Its primary pUr-
pose is to enable the erection Of
Roman Catholic church.
A kill to increase the number of post
quarter master sergeantS Of the United
States army was passed.
Another measure reported from the
military committee to reimburse the
governors Of state and territories for
expenses incurred by them in aiding the
United States to raise and organize
supply and equip the present volunteer
army, was passed.
A bill to restore Major J. Wham,
formerly paymaster in the United
States army to his full rank and pay
in the army was unanimously passed
a resolution authorizing the commit
tee on finance to make an investigation
of internal revenue and customs mat
tiers and to hold sessions during the re-
cess of Congress was agreed to.
These bills were passed:
Fixing the pay and allowances Of
chaplains of volunteer regiments, max
ing them the same as those of a mount
ed captain; permitting officers in the
regular or volunteer army to hold posi-
lions as commissioners, superintendent
or historians of national parks.
Mr.. White (Cal), offered a resolution,
requesting the president to take i'm
mediate steps if not incompatible with
public interests to secure the release or
the fair and speedy trial of Harry x
Spring and Charles Nelson, residents
of California, who have for a long
time been under arrest in the Republic
of Colombia The resolution was agreed
to.
Mr.. Morgan announced that he pro-
posed to try to set up his bill for the
construction of the Nicaraguan canal
by the United States.
Mr.. Turpie Qnd.), sharply opposed the
idea suggested by Mr.. Morgan. He
maintained that the opponents of the
bill had a right to be heard briefly.
The suggestion of Mr.. Morgan, he
thought. was premature, as the report
of the existing canal commission had
not been fled.
UnIer a special order two hours were
then devoted to the confederation of
unobjected bills on the general calen-
dar. Among the bills passed were the
following:
To enable naval courts martial and
courts of inquiry to secure the attend
ance and the testimony of civilian wit
nesses; authorizing the adjustments
of the accounts of the army officers in
certain contingencies; Incorporating the
American Social Science association; to
establish a United States court at
Tehomingo, Chickasaw nation / t,
and to pay William c. Dodge $10.00 for