Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1901-12-10
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GOSSIP

There arc lightweight new members In
the House of the Fifty Congress.
This is a considerable percentage OF the
total membership of 356, but the reins
of government, to great extent, remain
in the same hands. OF the eighty eight
new members forty-siX are Republicans
and forty-two are Democrats and fusion
lists. The Republicans have materially
increased their majority of eighteen In
the last House, and, unless the tariff is
sue results in serious discussions, the
party win have little trouble with the mi
nority. Richardson of Tennessee is look
ed Upon as the Democratic leader. This
viii be his ninth term in Congress. His
principal duty, as a party leader, will be
TO keep cases on the Republican major
ity and make note of all its errors for
use in the campaigns Of 1902 and 1901.
$50
A sensible suggestion is made by Gov.
Murphy of Arizona, in his annual report.
He advocates the sale aud settlement of
the large Indian reservations within the
territory with the possible exception of
Navajo reservation in northeastern Arr
IONA, and the government construction of
reservoirs for water storage for irriga-
ton in suitable localities, with canals
leading to lands allotted the Indians. The
Governor says the latter action, in which
Indian labor could be largely utilized.
would help to make farmers of the In
dams, and that further maintenance of
the tribal relations as now conducted
and the retention of reservation agencies,
around which the Indians cluster and live
in idleness on government rations, most
seriously retard the civilization of the abb
origines.
The annual report of the First Assist
ant Postmaster General shows a contin-
ual advance in all branches of the ser
vice. In the FIVE years just passed the
number of presidential postofiices has in
creased from 3,651 to 4,0S9, the salaries
of postmasters have increased from $16.-
90S, 3S435 to S19,949,515, the allowances
for clerks in first and second-class offices
from $10,3S2, 061 to S11, 723,514, while
the number Of free delivery offices has
increased from 627 to S66, the number
of carriers from 1854 to 16,3S9, the cost
of the service from Sl2,713,S61 to $751;
752 600 with an increase of gross re-
ceipts at free delivery offices from $o2,-
SGT GOA to $74,295,39 The increase of
revenues by reason of rural free delivery
is estimated at 10 per cent.
-
During the long recess of Congress,
many changes and improvements have
been made in all parts of the Capitol,
general system of repairs, refurnishing
and redecoration having been in progress
Everything has been completed in first
class order except the work Of putting
the new roof on the Supreme Court cham
Der. Work was delayed owing to ths
failure of contractors to supply material,
and the court is occupying the room of
the Senate committee on the judiciary.
The Supreme Court justices will continue
to occupy the committee room for week
after the meeting time of Congress, at
which time the court will adjourn until
after the holiday recess when the court
chambers will be ready.
-
The War Department has decided upon
a further reduction of the troops station
ed in Cuba. -Four troops OF the second
| cavalry and one of two batteries of ar
| tillery now in the island are to be with
drawn within the next month 1t is said
that Gen. Wood does not recommend this
reduction, neither does he seriously OPP
| pose it. The great need for troops to-
relieve the regiments to be ordered home
from the Philippines has made it neces-.
/ safy that a reduction be made in the
| Cuban force. Although affairs are now
quiet in Cuba, according to Gen. WCod,
| 1t is impossible to predict how soon it
may be necessary to use troops in enforc-
| ing order in the possible event of an out
| break. =,
- .
The engagement of Miss Helen Hay,
daughter of the Secretary of State, and
Payne Whitney, the second son of Will
| liam G. Whitney, has been formally an
| nounced. Miss Helen Hay is the eldest
| daughter Of the Secretary of State and
she was presented at court when her
| father was ambassador to Great Britain
She is young woman of charming per-
sonality and varied talents During the
last Inauguration Payne Whitney was
the guest of Secretary and Mrs. Hay at
their home here. Mr.. Whitney also was
a visitor at the summer home of the
Hays this season.
-
according to report the best men in
the United States secret service and the
cleverest inspectors in the Postofice De
partment are at present working in the
attempt to discover the details of a new
green goods scheme. The victims are
second third and fourth class postmas-
tiers, who do not dare complain to the
authorities. 1t is known that since July
/ more than 1000 postmasters have been
swindled out Of sums ranging from $3.50
to 81 1000. The principle OF the game is
the same as that of the old-fashioned
green goods game.
With hundreds of feet of fire hose.
scrubbing brushes, securing soap and
thousands of gallons of Potomac water,
a force of men gave the Capitol its an
nual bath before Congress should meet.
The great granite walls of the historic
building, from the statue on the towering
dome to the broad tseps approaching the
entrance, were washed.
-
Congressman Hepburn, who is chair
man Of the committee on interstate and
foreign commerce. predicts the early pas
sage by Congress of his Nicaraguan canal
bill 1T passed the House last session,
and do not expect any delay in getting
it through this winter" he said II win
reinfroduce it promptly, and | believe it
Will become a law"
-
The largest conscience fund.- contrib
uted on record, $1S,669.60, was recently
received by Secretary Gage. 1t was sent
to the collector of customs at New York.
who transmitted it to Secretary Gage
The next largest conscience fluid contrib
uted was about $4,000, received from
Chicago several years ago.
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There are persistent rumors that tins
Attorney General has instructed three or
four United States District Attorneys to
begin the prosecution of certain trusts
under the provisions of the Sherman
antitrust law. Mr.. Knox refused to de-
ny or affirm that there was any founda-