The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-22

ing the present session OF Congress. The
treaty has not yet been ratified by the
French Chamber of Deputies, but no de-
lay is anticipated on that score after we
shall have acted here.
The House committee on Foreign Affairs
has decided to investigate the allegations
made by Charles n. Macrum, ex-consul
to Pretoria. South Africa. relative to the
opening of his official mail by the British
authorities. Representative Wheeler, of
Kentucky. introduced a resolution to this
end which was referred to the committee
on rules. After some consultations, Chair
man Hit, on behalf of the foreign affairs
committee, agreed to investigate the
charges without the direction of the House
IL that would be satisfactory to Mr..
Wheeler, the author of the resolution. Mr.
Wheeler assented and has wired Mr.. Ma
crum to come to Washington as soon as
possible to appear before the committee.
Representative Dinsmore, of Arkansas,
to-day introduced a resolution requesting
information from the secretary of state
as to any correspondence with Great Brit
ain in relation to the alleged detention,
opening and subjecting to censorship OF
official correspondence addressed to
Charles Macrum. late United States con-
sui to South Africa
The ways and means committee gave a
hearing to-day TO a delegation of insurance
officials and agents who desire change
i'm the revenue tax law, by which. in lieu
of adhesive stamps on individual transac-
tions, the business will be taxed in bulk.
tr~t- 80
life, accident, fidelity and indemnity. bond
ing and trust, fire and marine, boiler and
employers liability, plate glass and other
lines of insurance. The National Associa-
ton of Insurance Agents was also repre-
sented through it's officials. 1t was urged
that the proposed change involved no loss
in revenue to the government, but altered
the manner of collection so as to avoid the
inconvenience and business disorder caused
by stamping each transaction. The COM
mittee did not take final action on the
bill.
The commissioner OF internal revenue
has ruled that the word duplicate" as
used in the paragraph Of Schedule A, OF
the war revenue act, headed Express
and Freight" includes all copies Of bills
ment evidencng the receipt and forward
ing of goods issued by the carrier or his
agent, must bear e one-cent stamp. and
any memorandum on that same that 1t is
merely a copy. not bill of lading. nor a
duplicate, ETC., will have no effect to ex-
empt the copy from taxation as a dupli-
cate"
The President has received copy Of
a resolution recently adopted unanimously
by the Municipal Council Of the city Of
Dublin. Ireland. as follows:
Resolved, That this council of the cor
poration of the city Of Dublin place on
record their high appreciation of the honor
conferred on the lord mayor by the Presi-
dent of the United States on the occasion
Of his recent visit to Washington, and the
warm reception extended to him. And also
to the Governors Of the States and mayors
who granted him the freedom OF the sew
eral cities; to the commander Of the navy
/ yard at Brooklyn, and generally to the cit
izens of the United States for their gener-
Gus hospitality
Representative Little, Of Arkansas. to-
day introduced bill appropriating 1000
for a soldiers hospital at Hot Springs.
Ark, at which shall be admitted soldiers
of all the wars of the United States, in
Guiding the Spanish war, who desire treat
ment of the peculiar diseases for which
the waters of the springs are efficacious.
The Senate committee on civil service
to-day authorized q favorable report on
the bill introduced by Senator Platt. Of
New York, giving preference to soldiers of
the civil war in positions in the civil serv-
ice of the government. The committee
recommends an amendment including SOL
diers of the Spanish war and Of the war
in the Philippines.
To-day's statement Of the treasury bal
ances in the general fund. exclusive of the
$150,O0O.0O0 gold reserve In the division of
the redemption, shows: Available cash
balance. s159.575. Ss7; gold. sss.ase,577.
A bill favorably passed upon to-day by
the Senate committee on foreign relations
authorizes the President to invite the In
ternational Congress of Navigation to meet
in Washington in 1901. The congress meets
this year in Paris.
Senator Butler to-day introduced a bill
authorizing the distribution of the money
which has been collected as court-mar-
tial forfeitures in the volunteer army
since July 1, 1893, among the States Of the
Union for the benefit of the soldiers them
selves. The total sum amounts to $2SS, ,13l
and the bill provides for its pro rata dis
tribution. -
The House committee on public lands to-
day directed favorable report on a bill
allowing a single woman who locates a
homestead entry on unplatted lands to
Arguments were heard on what is known
| as the Five per cent. BILL" but no de-
termination was reached on 1T.
The House committee on pensions has
practically decided in favor of extending
the pension law of Jan. 5, 1893, which in
creased the pension of Mexican war vete-
| rams from s. to s12 per month, so that it
will apply to those pensioned since the
| date of the act as Well as to those pen
stoned up to that time. The committee has
decided to increase to $40 a month the
| pension of the widow of Lieutenant Col.
| John NJ. Hamilton, Ninth Cavalry, who
| was killed at the battle of San Juan.
Beginning next month seventy-three ad-
ditional postoffices will adopt the system
of registering letters by carriers. The new
system then will be in operation in 3O7
cities. ''*
In the executive session of the Senate