The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-02-01
A CONSULAR PENSION CLAIM.
Mrs. Clare VI. Ashby's Relief Bill Re-
ported EaxnrnbIN.


The Committee on Claims Of the Hous9
Of Representatives has favorably reported
bill for the relief Of Glare NJ Ashby,
widow OF w W. Ashby, late United States
Consul at Colon Mr.. Ashby was a news
paper correspondent and was well known
in Washington. The bill authorizes the
Secretary Of the Treasury to pay to Mrs.
Clare NJ. Asnby the balance of one years
salary due the late consul
On Sunday afternoon, January 16, Mr.
Ashby, accompanied by DR.. +. W. Hafe-
man. German Consul. and ID. G. Mott. Mas
ter Mechanic OF the Panama Railroad. left
Colon in a small boat TO visit Mr.. Motifs
cocoanut plantation, situated on what u
known as Toro Point, across the bay from
this point The trip over was made all
right. but in returning from the shore
near Point Toro. the boat was capsized and
ali the occupants were thrown out in the
water.
Although a moderate breeze was blowing
at the time Of the accident, the sea was
rough and breaking heavily on the Jagged
reefs which lire the coast and being IN
able TO secure assistance at the time. al
the occupants of the boat except the cap
tain, who was throwR on the reef and bad
/ ~ hurt were either drowned or killed BY
being thrown against the coral rocks.
The accident was Witnessed by one per
son only. the assistant keeper Of the Pun
"a del Toro lighthouse. who, at the time
was In the lamproOm OF the tower prepar
ing TO light the lamp. Being fully half q
mile from the place where the accident
occurred. and having no means Of render
ing assistance he was forced by circum-
stanes TO see the occupants OF the Inflated
boat drown.
In a letter to the committee, Thomas W
Cridler. Third Assistant Secretary Of State
said the department does not recall a case
where Cor s;ress has provided an allowance
to the widow Of a consul who died while
In the public service.
Mr.. Cridler ..-ed the following prece'
dents To sh5w the action Of Congress II
| similar instances where diplomatic officer!
have died abroad in the service
The ap~ ropriation act approved Marct
/ . 1879. gave 20 Mrs. Taylor, widow Of Bay
/ ard Taylor who died while minister e
/ Germany the sum OF 1000 TO compensate
| bis estate for the extraordinary expenses
ana losses incurred by il ia consequence o.
( his death so soon after reaching his post
The joint resolution approved July Is
| 1882. gave TO Mrs HurlbUt widow OF Gen
! eraI Hurlburt he having died while Min
/ iste- 10 Peru. one years salary and lega
! allowances. after necessary deductions o
salary paid.
The joint resolution also approved JUL
! % 1882. gave TO Mrs. Fitzpatrick, widow o
/ General Fitzpatrick who died while Min
/ lister TO Chile. one years salary and lega
/ allowances. after making proper salary dc
4 auctions.
! The joint resolution approved August /
1 1882, gave 10 Mrs. Garnet widcE Of th'
| Rev. Henry Highland Garnet. who die
/ while Minister to Liberia. one years sal
/ airy and legal allowances. after deductini
I the amount received up to death. MIR Gar
I net had only been in Liberia few weeks
! The deficiency bill approved March 2
! 1888. gave TO Mrs. Marsh. widow Of Georg
/ p Marsh who died while Minister 10 italy
/ the balance Of one years salary, reckOne,
! from June %. 1SS2
The act approved December p. 1854
/ gave 10 Mrs. Jane Venable. widow OF vii
! liam r Nenable. who died as Minister u
I Guatemala. the sum OF s., $685., being tn
1 balance OF one years salary In this cas-
Mr.. Neuabie was commissioned March IA
! 1857. and died at Guatemala August - o
! that year. before presenting his creden
I tials Consequently the action Of Con
/ gress dates tweuty-seyen years after th
/ minister's death.
The deficiency bill approved March .
| 1883. gave 10 Mrs. Wing, widow q f. Rum
I sey Wing. who died while Minister q
I Ecuador and 10 Mrs Hunt, widow o
/ William r. Hunt who died while Ministe
/ 10 Russia a sum equal TO six months sai
. ary in each case. Mr.. Wing was e0mr7is
I stoned minister-resident November Ii
/ 1850 shortly afterward Congress diseon
I tinued the mission 10 Ecuador.