The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-28
CANAL BILL MAY PASS
OUTLOOK FOR ACTION By THE HOUSE
is IMPROVING.
Topics Discussed by the Cabinet-Min-
lister Merry Now Happy-SenOr
Quesada's Mission.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Jan. G7.-The outlook for
legislation at this session for the construc-
ton of isthmian canal has suddenly be-
come better The Morgan bill, as it passed
the Senate, is now before the House COM
mittee on interstate and foreign commerce
and was the subject of consideration at it's
meeting to-day. The committee finally adj
journed until next Tuesday without action.
The meeting was behind closed doors. From
what the members say the feeling in the
committee has become much more favorable
to the building of a canal and has also APP
parently veered around more in favor of the
Morgan measure, the basis of which is that
the United States shall become the majority
stakeholder in the Maritime Canal Com
pany, which owns the only concessions ac-
tually existing al this time for the construc-
ton and operation of a canal through Mica
ragua. What is known as the Grace-Cragin
syndicate has concessions that are to go into
operation upon the expiration of those of
the Maritime Company. THESE later expire
by their own terms next October, but the
company insists that il has right to renew
them, also under its own terms The House
commerce committee is considering the
policy of this government acquiring what
ever rights both the Maritime company and
the Grace-Cragin syndicate possess. By so
doing there could be no contest on any
body's part as to the ownership or control
of the canal once it was constructed.
Allen Buchanan, of Evansville. and F. o.
Branch, of Martinsville, graduating cadets
at the Naval Academy have been assigned
to duty with Deweys fleet. They will sail on
the Solace from New York on next Monday.
Representative Lands has recommended
cadet appointments as follows: West Point,
Benjamin Ristine, of Charlottesville, princi-
pal; Lee B. Martin. of Attica, alternate.
Annapolis, W. lie Roy Mier, of Flora. prin-
cipal, Hugh Clifford, of Delphi, alternate.
The West Point examination will be in
June, the Annapolis in May.
First Assistant Postmaster General Heath
said to-day that if the receipts of Button
pestoffice for the quarter ending March 80
reach the required amount an inspector will
be sent out to report on advisabhility of es-
tablishing free delivery there. The service
will probably be established in April.
Representatives Overstreet and Crumpack-
er introduced more petitions favoring the
passage of the Ellis bill:
The nominations of A NJ. Ballinger. of
Upland, Ind and w. II. Burris, of Milford,
Ind. to be postmasters at the places named
were confirmed by the Senate to-day.
The Cabinet session to-day, while lasting
almost two hours, was uneventful, and prac-
tically no attention was paid to the Philip
pine question. There were no official adj
wees presented from either the Philippines
or Samoa, although Secretary Long an
Ecunced the early departure of the Philadel-
phia from San Francisco direct for Samoa.
Two Cabinet officers. after the meeting,
W hen asked regarding the Philippines, said
that at no time in Cabinet session or pri-
Vately had the President expressed to the
Cabinet his intentions as to the final dispo-
sition of the islands, and added that the
Pre- sident has not yet determined what dis
position the interests of the United States
would make necessary. Most of to-day
session was devoted to administrative de-
tails of tariff customs and postal service on
the islands now occupied by the United
States. Secretary Bliss laid before the Cabi-
net the agreement concluded on Jan. "A be-
tween the Dawes Indian commission and the
Cherokee Nation for a general breaking up
of the tribal organization.
United States Minister Merry, who has
been at his post in Costa Rica for many
months awaiting the time when he might
secure recognition in his other capacity as
United States minister TO Nicaragua, has
Cabied the State Department that he has at
last succeeded.
the government of Nicaragua. again an in
dependent state, has sent him a cordial in
vitation to appear at the capital and pre-
sent his credentials United States min
lister, which invitation he has accepted
Surgeon General Sternberg Mas made pub
lie the report of Lieutenant Colonel O'Reilly,
chief surgeon Department of Cuba, relative
to the British method of caring for troops
in the tropics. AS a result. Dr. O'Reilly
hlf
service should be recruited i'm the South !
and be colored, with white officers, to a
great extent. They should be sent in No
Vember, after the rainy season No inn
pIovement is needed in the rations, and
night service should be avoided
Senior Quesada, who, throughout the last
war and before, was one of the diplomatic
of the Cuban Junto in Wash
ington, left Washington tonight on spe-
cial mission for Cuba. He will go first to
Havana, and then proceed with all dispatch
to join General Gomez as soon as he can ex-
actly locate that officer. Senior Quesada is
acting directly in this mission under the in
structions of President Palma. of the iunto
and while it is not deemed expedient at this |
moment to say more of the nature of the |
known that the officials here feel THE utmost
confidence that results beneficial to Cuba
and satisfactory to the United States gov
eminent are likely to follow
There is disposition manifested in the
Senate to promptly pension widows of the
sailors and soldiers who lost their lives dur
ing the Spanish war. Senator Lodge has
introduced a bill granting a pension of $50
per month 10 Lillian Capron the widow of
Captain Allyn G. Capron, of the First Unit
ed States Volunteers. who was killed in the
battle at Las Quasimas, Cuba. Senator
Quay is endeavoring to have the pension
granted TO Harriet V Grdley. wife of Capt.
Charles " Gridley, who participated in the
battle of Manila and died on route to this
country. Increased TO $50 per month.
A rough canvass has been made of the
House committee on judiciary as to their
views on the question of declaring vacant
seats held by members holding outside Of
fees, which is understood to disclose that
fourteen out of the seventeen members in
favor declaring these seats vacant.
although this view has not yet been ex-
pressed in a vote
p