The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-13
Representative Faris Satisfied with
the Political Outlook on the
Banks Of the Wabash.
ANOTHER CABINET OFFIC1
A DEPARTMENT OF MINES AND MIN
ING PROPOSED.
Bill Submitted to Congress That Is
Designed to Facilitate CONNER
cial Transactions by Mail.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 12-The admins
tration has not abandoned hope for the
ratification of the Hay-Pauncefote treaty
modifying the Clayton-Bulwer treaty. al
though it would apear there is slight
foundation for the hope. 1t is being made
clear to the administration that ratification
means the death knell Of the Nicaraguan
canal bill. Colonel Hepburn, chairman OF
the House committee that reported the
pending canal bill, serves notice he will
oppose his own bill in the House In the
event of ratification and that he will not
permit it to be taken up until the fate of
the treaty in the Senate is definitely de-
termined.
Mr.. Bynum's confirmation as general
appraiser still hangs fire. Before every
meeting of the Senate finance committee
word passes along that his case is to be
disposed of at once, but session after ses-
sion is held and the name of Mr.. Bynum is
not considered. Mr.. Bynum hears nothing
definite which should discourage him, yet
he is clearly worried and the long delay in
acting on his case naturally suggests
doubts and fears as to the outcome. Inc
finance committee is heavily leavened with
free silver and majority of the members
have no love for the Indiana ex-represent-
ative, who bolted the regular ticket In 1896
and supported Palmer and Buckner. They
take delight in keeping him on the anxious
seat. The chances of him pulling through
are about even.
Representative Hemenway has charge
of the legislative appropriation bill which
was reported to-day and will be taken up
for consideration tomorrow. Mr.. Hem
enway has won the enviable distinction
of being Chairman Cannon's first assistant
on the appropriation committee Mr.. Can
non shows his regard for and confidence
in a member of his committee by loading
him down with work. Mr.. Hemenway
was accordingly placed on three subcom-
mittees, being made chairman or toru-
fcations and coast defenses, second on leg
islative and third on sundry civil. On ac-
count of the disability OF Subchairman
Bingham he was given charge of legisia-
tive. and has been kept on the jump from
the day Congress met down to date
Representative Faris has just returned
from a trip home. His visit was looked
upon as politically significant, owing 10
the local conditions in his district. When
asked about his prospects for renomina-
ton, Mr. Faris looked pleased and said ne
was not allowing anything to disturb MS
rest at night, and that seriously, ne was
agreeably surprised to find the situation
60 favorable, although he admitted tnat
there had been on the surface some cause
for apprehension before he reached his dis
trict. A strong fight was recently made III
the organization of Vigo county and the
eth congressional district, but he was
assured by credible representatives OF ootn
sides that there was a sincere desire Tor
harmony, and there is no doubt In MS mino
but that the harmonious results rapioiy
working out will bring to the Republican
narty a great victory in the coming cam
paign.
The nostmaster general has forwarded
to the postoffice committee OF the House
NJ Representatives draft of a bill de-
signed to facilitate commercial transac-
.;ons bv mail. In a letter accompanying
the hill the postmaster general says that
at present many persons. in order to Sc
cure patronage and replies by mall, send
to prospective patrons and correspondents
nrepaid cards and envelopes. Practical ex-
perience, he says, shows that only about
IN ner cent. of these are returned. entaiiing
loss to the senders of 30 per cent. of the
nostage value of the cards and envelopes
so distributed. The bill provides that ar
rangements may be made with private per-
sons, firms and corporations for the issue
TO them of reply envelopes and reply cards
addressed to themselves, and for their
transmission through the mails without
prepayment of postage. The postage is to
he collected from the addressee the same
as postage due under present conditions. A
denosit will be required In advance from
nersons applying for this privilege in such
amount as shall, in the judgment Of the
postmaster general. seem proper. The
privilege of the registry system. by the
terms of the bill, shall be extended to these
repIv envelopes and cards, the registry fee
TO be collected from the adressee upon de-
livery.
new Cabinet officer, to be known as
the secretary of mines and mining. is pro-
vided in the bill favorably acted on to-day
bv the House committee on mines and min
ing. The bill creates a department which
shall have entire charge Of affairs relating
TO mines, including the geological survey.
The proposed secretary of mines Is to have
the same rank and salary Of other Cabinet
officers and an assistant secretary IL given
the same standing as the first assistant
secretary Of the interior.
Another mining measure favorably acted
on establishes mining experiment stations
in each of the mining States. similar to ag-
ricultural experiment stations. and pro-
yides for the appointment OF a government
geolpgist. at $500 year. and an assayist.