The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1899-02-02
AT WASHINGTON.

Secretary Long has prepared the
draft of DILL which he will urge Con-
gress to pass, providing for extra pay to
officers and enlisted men of the volun-
teer force of the navy, two months ex-
ira pay where they served creditably
beyond the limits of the United States,
and one months extra pay where they
served In the limits of the United states.
The House passed the pension bill,
Friday, after a long debate.
Maine is to receive pretty good sum
on the rivers and harbors appropriation
bill, which has been made public. The
total for Maine projects Is 1920, 600.
The biggest item IN this was for cape
Porpoise in Speaker Reeds district, for
which appropriation is $125,OO But
the money is well distributed as the fol-
lowing list, showing the items and re-
speetiye appropriations will demon
strate: Saco river, 5000; Bagaduce
river, $1,000; Narraguagus river, 5000;
Lubec channel, $685. 600; Union river,
S15 900; Georges river, $4,000; Sullivan
Falls, 5000; Camden Harbor, S15 600;
81 eak water at Mount Desert and Porcu-
pine Island, $4,000, and Moosabec bar,
$11 900. 1t will be seen that a good
share of this money falls to the third
congressional district. Most OF the
money Is for projects which have al
ready been AUTHORIZED and on which
work has already been done. 1t means
more money put in circulatio in those
localities and improvements for shipping
that will eventually enlarge the trade of
many towns
The Eagan court martial has found
him guilty under the charges. The
record of court martial was placed in
the hands of Judge Advocate General
Lieber for review. Secretary AL
ger discussed the matter with the Presi
dent and the papers came to the
judge advocate general through the
usual routine channels. General Bieber
could not say how long 1t will take him
To complete the review. hen he has
concluded with the papers he will send
them along to the adjutant general.
Col Weston who has been designated
to act as commssary general, is reported
to be still lying i'll at at New York and
the reports do not indicate when he may
be expected here to assume the duties
of the Office
The President Monday nominated Col.
Asa b. Carey assistant paymaster gen
eral, to be paymaster general with the
rank of brigadier general; also mum
Der of brevet nominations and promo
tions In the army
The bill to reorganize and increase
the standing army To about 100000 men,
and leaving the President authority to
reduce the size of infantry companies
and cavalry troops to prevent menace,
thus fixing IA minimum of about $4,000
enlisted men, passed the House, Tues
day, by vote of 1913 to i25. This was
the result of a week of hard and often
picturesque fighting on the floor, during
which the progress of the opposition
compelled those in charge of the meas
IRE to give this discretionary authority
to the President and to make other
notifications. among which was re-
duction of 33l in the number of staff
officers.
Orders have been issued by the war
depart ment to expedite the movement
of reinforcements for the Philippines.
The transport sherman will start from
New York, Thursday, with the Sd In
fantry and four companies of the 18th
Infantry. The following Thursday,
Feb 8, the transport Sheridan with sail
from the same port with the 18th In
fantry and the headquarters and remain
ing companies of the 18th Infantry
The officers in command of these troops
have been instructed by telegraph to
execute the orders for this movement
without unnecessary delay Both trans
ports will take the Suez canal route.
The Senate, Tuesday, confirmed these
nominations Col A. b. Carey to be
paymaster general, with rank of briga
der general; Col. p. C. Haines, Engi
neers, to be member of the Nlcaraguan
canal commission.
The President has nominated Elias
Cheney of New Hampshire, to be consul
at Curacao, est Indies.