The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-09


conser ervative. His selection will be satisfac-
tory to all shades Of sound-money opinion.
The Senate committee on commerce has
been favorably impressed with the argu-
rnents of Senator Fairbanks and Represen-
tative Crumpacker and will incorporate in
the river and harbor bill an item of $780,
600 for the improvement of the harbor at
Michigan City. The money viii be spent
under the continuing contract system, which
runs through series Of years.
Prospects for the passage of a Nicaragua
canal bill, which were very blue, are now
considered bright again, by reason of a
shrewd move made in the Senate to-day
Senator Morgan. who is far more anxious
for the construction of an isthmian canal
than ne is for the passage of his own pet BILL
consented to the substitution of the amended
Hepburn bill for his own, and it will be
annexed to the river and harbor bill in the
form of an amendment The Hepburn bill,
as revised and modified is not expected to
meet important opposition in the Senate
and as rider on the river and harbor bill
will undoubtedly come back to the House
within a few days. A canvass of the House
shows a decided majority of the House for
the proposition. AS a part of the river and
harbor bill it will be beyond the power of
Speaker Reed to sidetrack it or to success
fully obstruct its passage.
1t was said at the War Department to-
day that the decision respecting the status
quo in the Philippines and the restrictions
imposed on American operations there also
covers the question of the disbanding of
the army. There was quite a large propor-
tion of the increase of the regular army
that was mustered in ''for the war;" with
the specific pledge that on the return of
peace these men, although regulars and
mustered in nominally for three years.
would be given their discharge at any time
on their own request If advantage were
generally taken of THIS pledge by the de-
partment it would seriously deplete the
American forces in the field, but the time
for the redemption of the promise has not
yet arrived, and, according to the ruling of
the department, the war continues till after
the exchange of ratiications of the peace
treaty by the two countries. After that
the end of the war in all probability will be
formally announced by executive proclama-
ton, as was the declaration of the war last
spring.
Provisions for increasing the supply OF
~
edly will be made, in the army appropria-
tion bill. The matter was considered to-
day by the military committee of the
House, which is framing the bill, and Ma
jor Shaller, of the Ordnance Department
explained the proposed increase of facili-
ties. At present the armory at Springfield,
even at double time, cannot supply arms as
fast as the department requires The War
TcrN H.
preparation of $S5OOOO for the equipment of
small-arms plant at the Rock Island ar
mory The buildings and power already
there, and with the machinery and fixtures
the government output of small arms can
be brought up to 1900 stands day and the
demands for the service met. Although
final action has not been taken, there is lit
tie doubt the plan will be approved. Sur
geon General Sternberg and General Greely
were also heard to-day AN their- -respect.fe
branches.
The President to-day sent the following
nominations to the Senate: Charles G.. Bell,
to be assistant treasurer of the United
States at New Orleans; Frank N. Wicker,
of Louisiana, appraiser of merchandise,
district of New Orleans; Charles H. Du-
cote, assistant appraiser of merchandise,
New Orleans; H. Dudley Coleman, melter
and refiner of the mint at New Orleans;
George w. McDun, of Louisiana, special
examiner of drugs, medicines and chem
icals, New Orleans; VIM. B. Powell, of New
Jersey to be general appraiser of mer-
chandise, to succeed George II. Sharp, re-
signed; to be brigadier general (regular
army, Col. William Sinclair, Seventh Ar
tillery. Also, some promotions OF minor
character in the volunteer army and in the
navy. ***
The controller of the currency has issued
call for reports of the condition of all
national banks at the close of business
Feb. 4.
The ways and means committee of the
House has directed a favorable report on
the bill for government participation in
Canadian-American exposition on the Ma
CARA frontier in 1901, and making an appro-
priation of 100000 for government build
ing ana exhibit
The credentials of Brigham Roberts. of
Utah, as a member of the Fifty-sixth Con-
gress have been received by Chief Clerk Nc
Dowel of the House of Representatives,
and placed on file. Owing to the public at
tention this case has excited, the creden-
tials are given in full as follows:
State of Utah Executive Department.
L, JdHleS u hammond, secretary of state
of the State Of Utah. do hereby certify that
on Tuesday, the Sth day of November. A. ID.
1888, at the general election held within and
for said State Brigham H. Roberts was
duly elected representative to the Fifty
sixth Congress of the United States OF
America from the State of Utah. as appears
from the returns of said election which
have been duly canvassed and certified In
testimony whereof 1 have set my hand and
affixed the great seal of the State of Utah
this 10th day of December, 1898"
The credentials were received yesterday
and deposited in the clerks safe.
General Miles to-day was before the sub
committee of the Senate committee on mill
tary affairs. which has the army reOrgani-
zation bill under consideration. He sug-
gested that, in view of the probability that
the reorganization bill could not get through
this session a temporary substitute should
be provided for the maintenance of the
army on its present basis until next session
of Congress. General Miles also made sew
eral recommendations bearing on the gen.
eral bill, but these were largely along the
lines of suggestions made by him which
have already been given TO the public One
of the recommendations which he repeated
was for the organization of the army upon
the basis of one soldier for every thousand
OF the population of the United States prop
eI and for every 500 of those occupying out
side DOssessiOnS The subcop,ro{ttaa hoe