The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-24

cided to appoint another member of the
Anglo-American commission, to fill the va
cancy caused by the death Of Mr.. Dingley,
and 10 have so informed senators and rep
resentatives who have called on him within
the last few days in behalf of Representative
Tdwney, of Minnesota member of the
ways and means committee. It was thought
the vacancy would be left open. owing to
the advanced stage Of the work, but the
President desires to have the commission
full when its important labors close.
The President to-day nominated Col. Eu-
gene Griffin, First United States Volunteer
Engineers, to be brigadier general, and
Frederick c. Perkins TO be register of the
land Office at Durango, Col.
The Senate to-day confirmed the nomina-
tion of Peter S. Grosscup. of Illinois, United
States circuit judge for the Seventh judicial
circuit.
1t is understood that the President has re-
quested the designations of Mr. Shurtleff,
Mr.. Wilkinson and Mr.. Sharp, three of the
nine members of the Board of General APP
praisers at New York. The officials here de-
cline to make any statement in regard to
the matter, yet there is reason to believe
that want of harmony in the board is one
Of the causes of the Presidents action.
Gen. Russell Hastings formerly of Ohio
but now living at Northampton, Mass, has
been chosen for appointment as director of
the Bureau of American Republics, to sue
ceed the late Joseph Smith. General Has
tings, during the civil war, was colonel of
the Presidents regiment.
The majority report on the Hawaiian bill
was filed to-day by Chairman Knox, OF the
House committee on territories, with the
bill as changed in committee. The changes
have been already pointed out and do not
vary the essential features of the measure
as submitted by the Hawaiian committee
The report states that, in substance, a terri
torial form Of government is established for
Hawaii as nearly like that of the other
Territories as the location of the islands,
their physical condition and the character
Of the people will permit. An amendment
is proposed making all laws of the Hawaiian
Legislature subject to the approval or dis
approval of the United States Congress. AS
to property qualification, as retained in the
bill with some modification, the report says
"It insures, as far as possible, a conserva-
tive body in the legislative body of Hawaii
at an important period of it's history 1t
permits large number of native Hawaiians
to vote for members of the upper house, and
the objections to this provision are largely
met by the removal of all property qualifi-
cations for membership to the lower house
or for electors to that body. A large popu-
lar house is created, all classes are repre-
sented and each house will be check upon
the other The report also speaks of the
favorable features of abolishing race dis
tinction in juries. and the extension of the
English language in Hawaii.
The Carter bill relating to the government
of Alaska was favorably reported to the
House to-day by Mr.. .Broderick, of the House
committee on territories. 1t preserves the
general plan of the Senate bill, but makes nu-
merous changes. An important amendment
provides that whenever practicable the sec
retary of the interior shall require that all
children between the ages of six and ff-
teen years shall attend public or private
school where the instruction shall be in En-
glish at least three months in each year.
Another amendment gives a term of the
United States District Court at Skaguay in
August each year. Other changes gives ap-
pointments of notaries to the Governor, in
creases the Governors salary from $4,000 to
5000 to $5.O0O and make all testamentary
and probate procedure under the laws Of
Oregon.
To-day's statement of the condition of the
treasury shows: Available cash balance,
1921, ,217, ,264; gold reserve S2so,164,764-
Paymaster General Stanton appeared at
the War Department to-day, to the great
qualification of, the officials of the depart
ment, who at one time had regarded his
case as hopeless. The general was weak
after his illness and did not undertake to
do more than pay his respects to the sec
retary and make few calls upon his broth
er officers, but is evidently in the way to
regain his health.
In the United States Supreme Court to-day
Justice McKenna handed down an opinion
in the case of the Northern Pacific Rail-
road Company against the treasurer Of
Jefferson county, Montana. The case in
wolves the right of the State authorities
to tax railroad lands within the Northern
Pacific grant, which are unpatented be-
cause their character with reference to
minerals has not been determined. The
railroad company contended that such right
did not exist but the decision of the Cir
cult Court of Appeals was against the COM
pany and the Supreme Court upheld this
opinion. Justices Brewer, Shiras, White and
Peckham dissented.
The State Department has Just settled a
claim of long standing by accepting the Of
fer of the government of the United States
of Colombia to pay the sum of $4,000 in three
instalments in satisfaction of the claim for
indemnity of the owners of the Panama
Star and Herald. This offer was made
through United States Minister Hart, at
Bogota, who advised it's acceptance. The
case has lived through the administrations
of no less than seven secretaries of state
each of whom has steadfastly urged 1t
along. The claim was based on the arbi-
trary action of the military governor of the
province of Panama in suppressing the
newspaper, which was operated under an
American charter, on the ground that it
was inimical to the. government.
There will be a notable race against time
in the effort of the Mexican authorities to
secure the person of Santiago NIorphy, the
Mexican National Bank employe, who is
wanted on charge of forgery amounting to
$4,000 Morphy is now held under arrest
in New Orleans. and as the extradition treaty
expires tomorrow there must be some live
ly work done on the part Of the Mexican au-
thoritles TO get their man across the bound
airy line before then. Saturday last the
State Department delivered to Senior Con
doy, me Mexican charge here. the papers
necessary TO secure the delivery of Morphy