The times., 1899-01-05
Congressional Notes.

The Secretary OF Agriculture has notified
the House Committee on Interstate and
Foreign Commerce that he cannot appear
before it today in advocacy of the pure
food bill, but that Dr. H. W. Wiley.
chemist of the department, will appear in
his place. The committee expects to finish
with the bill today. and next to take up
the Hepburn Nicaragua Canal bill.
Representative Henderson. who was yes
terday granted the privilege of consider
ing bills reported by the Judiciary Com
mittee, will this afternoon call up three
court bills, providing additional facilities
for court work in different parts of the
country.
The military congressman" resolution
has not yet been considered by the COM
mittee.
The time of the House will be given to-
day to the Judiciary Committee, tomorrow
to the executive, legislative, and judicial
appropriation bill. and as much of Satur-
day as may be necessary TO further con-
sideration of the Alaskan code bill, which
could not be completed yesterday.
The executive appropriation bill is Of
great interest to the departments of the
Government at Washington. as it carries
appropriations for the clerical force. There
will be some increases to the clerical Of
fees in this bill. but not TO the full ex-
tent estimated by the heads of depart
ments.
Chairman Hit is nearly ready to re-
port the diplomatic and consular appro-
priation bill. 1t provides for a minister
and legation and consuls to Spain. Only
those consulates are cut off that are To-
Gated in the ceded territory and in Cuba.
Speaker Reed, who went TO Port and,
Me, Saturday to attend the funeral of his
sister, Mrs. f. W. Comfy, has returned,
and presided over the session of tie
House yesterday.
Chairman Hopkins. of the Census Com
mlttee, will call meeting of the com
mittee tomorrow and submit to it the
bill that he has prepared by its direc-
tion. The changes were all outlined in
The Times some days ago, and consist
chiefly in making the bureau an inde-
pendent one. and in widening the scope
of the inquiry as to mines and min
ing. The proposition to appoint a super
wiser OF census in each Congressional
district. with compensation not to exceed
81 600. may be inserted in committee, but
has been omitted by Mr. Hopkins.
The Secretary Of the Treasury has sznt
to the House estimates of 5000 for build
ing an area around the pension office. The
pension Office basement is now too damp
for storage purposes.
The House District OF Columbia Com
mittee will hold a meeting tomorrow IN
order to prepare for a District day next
Monday. Four House bills are now ready
TO be acted upon. They are: To Tegu'ata
the height Of buildings in the District OF
Columbia; TO punish the impeIsonation OF
weighmaster in the District; to authorize
the Commissioners to remove dangerous
or unsafe buildings or parts thereof; and
to regulate the sale of poisons in the Dis
trict.
Representative jenkins OF Wisconsin has
introduced a bill providing for the estab-
iishment Of municipal court for the Dis
trict of Columbia, and for the abolition oi
the offices of justices of the peace and
constable. The justices are TO be four in
number, TO be appointed By the President
TO serve six years, and to receive 5000
per annum. The court will have jurisd.c-
tion in cases involving not more than $500