La Junta tribune., 1899-05-06
WASHINGTON GOSSIP
AND DEPARTMENT NEWS

Ex-Secretary Sherman has 30 far re-
covered that he is able to take . short
drive each day.
Admiral Howell has been relieved as
senior member Of the naval retiring
board. He will be succeeded by Admi-
raj Schley. heretofore member OF the
Naval Examining Board
The President has commuted the
sentences of Frank Odell and William
Lamoreaux, convicted In Wyoming IN
1886 OF manslaughter and sentenced 10
the penitentiary for term OF -FOUR
years The President reduced the term
to three years
1t is said at the State Department
that the expiration on July oath OF the
period allowed by the Dingley act for
the making OF reciprocity arrange
ments and treaties with foreign gov
ernments will not terminate the actiyi-
ties of the department in that direction.
Senator ouay's friends announce
that they have absolute assurances
that he will he seated by the Senate
on the governors commission. A poll
has been made of the Senate and six
ty-seyen votes were positively pledged
to Quay. Dudley. Of blocks OF nye
fame makes the positive assertion
that Quay VIII be seated.
Land Commissioner Hermann is pre-
pairing to increase the force of rangers
In the forest reserves OF Colorado and
the West. The average increase VIII
be about one-thlrd of the present force
The object OF appointing the addition
al fs IN the forests from
fire and depredatIons. The appoint
menrs will take effect May 18th.
The commissary OF the department
arm has been authorized TO issue TO
such soldiers as desire II an equal value
In fish In lieu of the beef ration no"
ISSUED. The restriction regarding the
issue OF fish when beef cannot be oo-
tanned is removed. Ham or other arti-
cles OF sale in equal money value to the
beef. may be issued. To the present
ration, two ounces Of dried fruits are
added.
As result OF the Cabinet meeting
Secretary Alger VIII issue an order to
permit the shipment of cargoes from
Porto Rico TO the United States In 9th
er than American bottoms. The gem
ernl subject of the conditions In Porto
Rico was discussed from the stand
point OF the memorial recently present
ed to the President by DIR. Henna and
a delegation from the Porto Rican peo-
Pile, and IL was decided that this was
the only relief which could be afforded
at this time by executive order.
No word has come TO the Navy De-
partment since last Tuesday relative
TO the fate of Lieutenant Gilmore ana
the fourteen sailors OF the Yorktown.
who were ambushed and captured at
Baler, on the island of Luzon. Satur-
day Secretary Long addressed an In
duiry by cable to Admiral Dewey to
ascertain whether he could supply any
further Information on this point. 1t
is understood that the inquiry is put In
such way as to require an expedition
which will attempt q rescue Of Gilmore
and his men.
Brigadier General John G. Bates, U.
s. ", who was recently recalled from
Cuba, will go to Manila. Although not
officially announced. 1t is practically
settled that the Nineteenth infantry.
now In Porto Rico. the remainder Of
the Fourteenth cavalry. serving in the
Far West, will constitute the bulk OF
the reInforcemcnts TO be sent to the
Philippines in addition TO the troops
already under orders to that station.
Part of the Fourteenth cavalry are
already in the Philippines and the plan
Is to complete the regiments.
In the United States Court an opin-
ion was handed down Monday In the
case Of Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., Vs.
G. d. Hunt, holding that copyright on
n book. the contents Of which have
been PUBLISHED serially without being
previously copyrighted. is invalid. The
case involved the copyright of '.The
Autocrat of the Breakfast Table by
the father of the plaintiff in this case.
The book was first published serially
in the Atlantic Monthly in 1857, and
was not copyrighted until it was after
ward printed In book form.
Information has been received at
the War Department that the present
customs laws OF Porto Rico are to be
tested In the courts. 1t is intended to
ship a cargo of goods from New York
to Porto Rico and refuse the payment
of the tariffs established by the gov
ernment. II payment is insisted upon
1t will be made under protest and suit
will be brought to recover the amount.
The claim will be set up that as Porto
Rico Is now n part of the United States
1t is unconstitutional to charge Gus
toms duties for goods sent from one
portion of the country to another.
The case of Captain Coghlan may
be considered as finally closed. The
German ambassador. DIR. Won Holle-
ben. called ut the White House We'd
nesday afternoon and had confer
ence on the subject with the President
OF such satisfactory nature that the
matter was regarded as settled. The
President explained the course the
Navy Department had taken In admin
istering reprimand 10 Captain Cogh-
Ian. II was also pointed out that the
officers explanations of the Incident
stated that his utterances had been
.r,,ch fad I'm hr NJ no