The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-04
WORK BEFORE CONGRESS.
WILL PROBABLY CREATE NEW
coMMfrArEE ON ISLANDS.
Sentiment In Favor Of IT'S Estab1ish-
ment Growing AMONG Members
How Nation Has Treated widows
OF Presidents ana vice Presidents

Special Dispatch to the Post-Tntelligencer
WASHINGTON. Dec. Assortment In
favor OF the creation OF a new committee.
to which shall be sent legislation affecting
the new possessions OF the United States.
seems to be general among members OF
congress who have arrived In the capital.
In addition to the fact that the committee
on territories, to which this class of legis-
lation naturally would be referred under
the present organization already has as
much work as II can perform properly. II
Is urged that the affairs OF the islands over
which the United States has acquired
jurisdiction do not come properly within
the province OF that committee. The COM
mittee on territories was created primarily
for the purpose OF handling legislation af-
fecting territory contiguous to or within
the boundaries Of the United States. VIII re-
as tho new insular possessions all are de-
tached. This alone, II Is urged. Is sur
ficent reason for the creation Of the new
committee.
When the question of the creation Of
standing committee specifically for the
purpose Of handling legislation Affecting
the new possessions first was preached.
party leaders were somewhat embarrassed
regarding the selection of n name. The
old committee on territories handled legis-
lation based upon the theory OF territorial
government, whereas the islands which re-
Gently have been acquired by the United
States probably will be governed, with the
possible exception Of Hawaii, after modi-
fication OF the colonial system. In other
words, the territories have been governed
with the expectation that ultimately they
would be erected into statehood. There IL
no reason to believe that there Is any pres
emit legislation to provide that future for
the insula- possessions Of the United
States.
1t was suggested at first that the new
committee be called the committee on colo
NAL affairs. Judcious party leaders imme-
diately vetoed that suggestion. however,
arguing that the use Of the word colo
nial would be interpreted as confirming
the Democratic charges OF Imperialism. So
delicate was the question Of selecting a
name for the new committee indeed that
for a time 1t seemed sufficient OF itself to
defeat the object OF those who believed
such committee should be created.
The name of COMMITTEE on insular at
fairs was the happy suggestion OF Repre-
sentative Tawney OF Minnesota. 1t was
at once hailed by party leaders as Offering
a solution of the question. as well as being
exactly appropriate to the work which the
proposed new committee would be called
upon to perform.
widows of Presidents.
Congress will probably appropriate for
the widow OF the late Vice President Ho'
bart ono years salary, but 1t Is not likely
that she will receive an annual pension.
There have been but two cases in which
congress has given financial aid to the
widows of vice presidents who have died
in Office. The executor of Henry Wilson
received $1O,222 ito be held and applied by
the said executor as a part of the estate OF
the said Henry Wilson," etc.. and Eliza 4.
Hendricks, widow Of Thomas A. Hendricks
received $s,75o, that being the salary, mile
age and stationary allowance OF the vice
president for one year.
Congress has been more generous in It's
treatment Of the widows of presidents
whether the latter have died or not, and
the custom has been established of allow
ing to such widows a pension OF 5000 a
year together with the balance Of the sal
airy the president would have received had
he lived during the remainder of the year
in which ne died When George Washing
ton died congress granted the Thanking
privilege to Martha Washington and the
same privilege was extended to Louisa
Catherine Adams. widow Of John Quincy
Adams and to Dolly Madison, widow OF
James Madison. When William Henry
Harrison died the salary OF the president
was $4,000 a year. and that sum was given
to his widow, less the amount President
Harrison had received during the year In
which he died. Mrs. Harrison also enjoy
ed the ranking privilege. A pension of
5000 year was granted to Julia Gardner
Tyler, widow Of John Tyler, while the wild
ow Of Zachary Taylor received the frank
ing privilege without any pension. IN 1888
a pension of $50 was granted to the daugh-
ter of President Taylor. Sarah Childress
Polk received a pension of 5000 a year.
Mary Lincoln, widow OF Abraham Lincoln,
received her husbands salary Of $4,000
year less the amount he had drawn dur
ing the year in which he died. Congress
also voted to her an annual pension Of
5000 and extended to her the Thanking
privilege. Julia Dent Grant, widow of
Cen Grant, was pensioned at 5000 year
and received the Thanking privilege.
The heavy expenses attendant upon the
Illness of President Garfield from the time
he was shot until he died all were paid by
congress- In addition congress appropriate
ed a. years salary for Mrs. Garfield, allowed
her an annual pension of 5000 and extend
ed to her the franking privilege.
Smuggling in the Philippines.
Bret Harte's Chinaman who was pecu-
liar for ways that are dark and tricks
that are vain, fourishes in the Philippines,
according to a recent report to the war
department describing a smuggling case.
A steamer came In from Hongkong, and
when the customs guards, detailed from
the Twentieth infantry. took charge Of the
watch on the vessel they were surprised
to see Chinese banca, or lighter, loading
up with stuff in a great hurry. On inquiry
It was discovered that the goods were not
on any manifest. In other words, big
game of smuggling was caught just as 1t
was about to succeed. False bottoms were
found in the hunks Of the steamer, and a
large quantity OF opium, cigarettes, opium
pipes, opium seconds cheap class of
dope used by manufacturers who run
sweat shops, and similar goods.
But the interesting part Of the find was
was bright and new from the Singapore
mint The coppers wore a cleaner fare