The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-08

before the 10th of June. but it is expected
that they viii be actually exchanged long be-
fore that date. The exchange must take
place in Washington. and the Spanish gov
ernment probably will send a specially en-
powered ambassador for that purpose. Some
time before the ratifcations are exchanged
the President must sign the treaty, thus
formally approving the action of the United
States Senate something he has not done up
to the present time.
The ratification by the Senate Of the peace
treaty has started talk about the probable
early muster out of the volunteers 1t is
understood, however, that this question has
not yet been seriously considered by the
President, and viii not be until the fate
Of the army reorganization bill pending in
Congress is known.
1t is stated at the Treasury Department
that no conclusion has yet been reached as
to the method Of paying to Spain the $20,
100000 called for by the treaty of peace, but
that it is altogether improbable this govern
ment will ship the actual gold coin. as it
would unnecessarily involve great risk and
heavy expense.
The Senate committee on finance held its
first meeting under the chairmanship of
Senator Aldrieh to-day The new chairman
assumed his duties as if long accustomed
TO them and dispatched business with his
customary vigor. The committee discussed
for a few minutes the bill extending the
tariff and internal revenue laws of the
United States to Hawaii, but did not act
upon the bin beyond referring it to SUBJ
committee consisting of Senators Platt of
Connecticut, Allison, Wolcott, Jones of Ar
kansas and Chiffon. The discussion devel-
ha f-1 4I,of ~.
important and the understanding is that the
subcommittee will report promptly. Senator
Platt indicated in the discussion tendency
to amend the bill so as to exclude Hawaiian
products from free access to our markets,
and Senator Jones antagonized this view as
an unfair discrimination.
The committee authorized favorable re-
port on the bin for the amendment of the
internal revenue laws relating to distilled
spirits, known as the outage bill with
amendment. The committee also authorized
a favorable report on the bill permitting the
expectation Of spirits in tin cans inclosed
in wooden packages. This bill is largely in
the interest of shippers to the Orient Sena-
tor Aldrich announced his intention of going
to Europe within the next few days for the
purpose of remaining three or four months.
He goes to secure a rest.
In response to the Senate resolution of
inquiry the President to-day sent to the
Senate the Navy Department. record of
the battle of Santiago, showing the respect
i've parts taken by Admirals Sampson and
Schley and other naval officers. The record
was quite voluminous and was not read
The War Department has repudiated the
name of what has, heretofore, been known
as the colonial bOard," which was recent
ly appointed to deal with insular questions
and consisted of Messrs. Guild, Watkins
and Kennedy. Mr.. Curtis Guild has declined
his appointment and no other appointment
will be made to fill his place. The other two
appointees viii remain not a board or
commission, but as advisers to the War De-
partment to pass on whatever questions
may be referred to them by the President
and secretary of war.
The naval committee of the House, after
an extended session to-day, reached con-
clusion as to the important items. In all,
twelve new war ships are agreed to, and
three more are under consideration. The
committee has followed the recommenda-
tions of the secretary of the navy, and has
passed on the first, second and fourth class
are: Three seagoing battle ships of about
1880 tons displacement each, carrying the
heaviest armor and most powerful arma-
ment of vessels of their class, to cost, ex-
elusive of armament and armor, $S6OO,OO0
each; three armored cruisers of about
twelve thousand tons each, carrying the
heaviest armor and most powerfuD arma-
ment of vessels of their type, to cost, ex-
elusive of armor etc, 100000 each; six
cruisers of about 2,500 tons each, of high
speed, good cruising qualities and most pow
erful ordnance suited to vessels of this type,
to cost, exclusive of armor, $1,1E, 800 each.
The other item not yet passed upon is for
three protected cruisers of about six thou
sand tons to cost $2,15O,0OO each.
By unanimous vote, the judiciary commit
tee Of the House to-day decided to recon-
mend the repeal of what is said to be the
last remrant of disqualification against
those serving in the Confederacy. The pro-
posed amendment is as follows: "That the
sections of the Revised Statutes which dis
qualify persons otherwise qualified from
serving as grand or petit jurors in the courts
of the United States, who have taken up
arms or joined in any insurrectior or rebel
lion against the United States, be repealed;
qualified for any service in any court or in
any branch department of the govern
ment of the United States on account of
participation in the civil war of 1861 and
1865
Regarding the report Of a large amount
of canned meat being condemned at Ha-
vana yesterday, little information was OBJ
tainable at the War Department to-day. 1t
was said that the matter was being investi-
gated and reports would have to be awaited
through the regular official channels. 1t
was said however, as a possible expana-
ton of the large amount of spoiled meat
reported, that the Cuban climate, especially
where there was lack of storage facilities,
had proved very detrimental to canned
goods of all sorts. A great many cans,
which had been exposed to the rain had
rusted through and when the air reached
the contents the meat was spoiled. In add-
tion to this, it was said that as far back as
Feb. the commissary department had been
notified by Colonel Smith, at Havana, that
large amounts of the canned beef had been
reported spoiled. On examination, however,
it was found that few cans in several
large lots either had been rusted through
or broken in handling, and the offensive
odor arising had thrown the whole lot un-
der suspicion. When the bad cans were re-
moved it was said the remainder were
found perfectly good. This explanation, it