The Holly chieftain., 1900-05-25
CONGRESSIONAL GRIST---.
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.

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spend Decoration Day at Antietam.
A favorable report was made public
Monday by the Senate committee on
public lands on the bill providing that |
persons residing in or near forest re-
serves may cut or remove dead or down
timber from such reserves for their
own use for firewood or for improving
their farms or mines. Also providing
for issuing permits for operating saw
mills for cutting such dead or down
timber
The month of April was, n record
breaker for exports, the total being
$11S,926501. which is $20,OO0OOO more
than any month in any preceding year.
$SO,UOOO0 more than April of last
year and double the record Of April,
1893. April is usually a light export
month. and never before has the total
passed $1O0,0OO.0OO, but in every
branch of industry the foreign ship
ments have been beyond precedent,
particularly in agricultural products.
Senator Hoar is one of the wlttiest
as well as one Of the most learned men
in public life and an inveterate pun
ster. Not long ago he was Joined in
the corridor of the capitol by former
colleague in the Senate, and as they
approached the entrance to the Senate
chamber Mr.. Hoar motioned his COM
panion to pass in first. After yOu,"
said the ex-senator, drawing back po-
litely. mo, indeed" retorted Senator
Hoar; ''the KS always go before the
wise"
The comptroller of the treasury has
strained his powerful mind in deciding
the momentOus question whether the
paymnster general of the navy may
lawfully furnish fuel to Admiral Dew
ey at government rates. Many years
ago Congress passed an act authorizing
such practice, but at that time there
was no admiral of the navy, and there
fore the comptroller, after great men-
tai exertion, has decided that Admiral
Dewey cannot come in for the privi-
lege and must buy his coal and kind
ling from private dealers.
Admiral Dewey says he will not ac-
cept the nomination for the vice-presi-
dency from any party. He expects to
have his name presented to the Kansas
City convention as candidate for
President, although the program Is not
yet completed: and he expects to pre-
vent the nomination of Mr.. Bryan If
he is not successful himself. He has
had many assurances of support dur
ing his southern trip, and intimates
that people who think Mr.. Bryan has
nailed down all the delegates from the
south will be surprised when the votes
are counted.
The United States Supreme Court has
sustained the constitutionality of the
war revenue tax on inheritances in the
Il. j. knowlton case, New York. JUS
tice White read the opinion of the
court. Suit was brought to recover the
tax paid. The decision declares the
tax is not repugnant to the constitution.
The contention that Congress has no
right to impose tax was also held to
be unsOund. Neither Is the uniformity
clause of the constitution violated, de-
clared the court. The claim that the
imposition of progressive rate Is sub
versive to the fundamental conception
Of free government Is held to be unten-
able.
The Senate committee on inter ocean
ic canals has presented its written, re-
port upon the Nicaragua canal bill.
The report includes the statements of
Admiral Walker and other members
Of the commission appointed to investi-
gate the various routes and also the
conclusion of the committee with refer
ence to both the Nicaragua and the
Panama routes. The committee takes
strong position against the proposition
to build the canal via the Panama
route, paying for the work already
done by the French. The declaration
is made that the Panama company Is
practically without assets, except
those included in the Panama rail-
road.
Congress must ONE to the aid OF
the administration in bringing G. F.
w. Neely, the Cuban defaulter. to jus
tice. A new law must be enacted, and
enacted at once, which will tighten the
governments hold on him. Every loop
hole of escape must be closed. Attor-
ney General Griggs has forwarded to
Senator Hoar. chairman of the Senate
Committee on judiciary, and to Con-
gresham Ray, chairman Of the SIM
liar committee of the House, a copy
Of bill drawn especially to meet the
present emergency He accompanied
the bill with a strong letter, pointing
out the necessity for its prompt pass
age. He expressed the hope that the
measure may be passed without de-
lay.
There is very little prospect Of Sena-
tor Clark securing seat under his ap-
p0intment from the lieutenant-govern.
or Of Montana, although 1t is generally
admitted that 1t was regular and law
ful and that the technicalities are in
his favor. At the same time there is
an almost unanimous feeling that the
appointment was the result Of con-
spiracy; that the governor was tricked
into going away in order to give the
acknowledgements chance, and that
the resignation was already in Mon
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