The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-02-02
AT THE CAPITAL.
Senator Harris Has Bill
FavOring Old Soldiers.
Would Pension All Who We're
HonorabIy Discharged.
MONEY FOR CHISHAM.
Reimburse Him For Money Lost
In Bank Failure.
Washington Gossip Of Interest
to Kansans.
MONEY FOR CHISHAM.



Especial to the State Journal
Washington, D. c., Feb. 2--senator
Harris is Interested in a bill favoring the
old soldiers and sailors. As a member
OF the committee on civil service and re-
trenchment, he has reported favorably
to the senate an amendment to the civil
service laws giving preference OF apr
pOintment in government service 70 All
honorably discharged persons IN the
military and naval service. The follow
ing section of the law now IN force reiat-
ing to this matter reads as follows:
ANY applicant hon0rably discharged
for such cause, i. e., by reason or 01sa-
bility resulting from wounds or sickness
incurred in the line of duty, who as the
result Of an examination has peen
placed upon a register ais eligible TOT
appointment, should be certified In pref
erence to any other person thereon not
entitled to such preference examined Tor
the same part OF the service, even
though such persons are graded nlsne
without such priority in certifcations
it appears to be hardly practicable 70
give the preference in appointment
which it seems to be the object Of the
statute to secure. YOu are requested 70
act upon this view in making certlnca-
tions."
The amendment embodied In the bill
under consideration broadens the scope
Of this section of the law, which limits
preference for appointment to persons
discharged by reason OF disability re-
sulting from wounds or sickness A
large number of soldiers and sailors VINO
were wounded and who served for years
after being wounded are excluded, ana
preference Is given to those VINO saw
but little service, in many cases The
lapse OF years has enormously reduced
the number of men who saw service
from 1851 to 1866 But few are left now
who could avail themselves Of the priv
ilege hereby extended, and It rs the
opinion of the committee that those VINO
he nn
ice examination and get upon the eilg-
ible lists should be preferred for ap-
point without reference to disabilities
which forced their discharge from the
service
Congressman w. J. Bailey. member Of
the committee on claims has reported
favorably to the house a bill to author
ize the secretary of the treasury to re-
imburse out of the unappropriated FUNDS
the sum of $750.S6 to James NJ CHS
ham. for loss sustained by him as post
master at Atchison, Kansas, on account
of the failure OF the Atchlson National
bank, where he had the FUNDS OF the
government on deposit as postmaster.
Out in Cherryvale, Kan. resides a far
mer by the name of A n. Russell IN an
idle moment the other day he sat down
and wrote the innermost feelings OF his
heart to Senator Harris. The senator
received the communication yesterday
and in presenting II to the senate ne
said, las this petition 10 very short
ask that it may be read. so az to give
the rank and file chance to be heard
There being no objection the petition
was read and then referred to the COM
mittee on postofiices and post roads. 1t
was as follows:
TO the Senators. United States Senate,
washington, D. G.
Honorable Gentlemen: People in cities
have mail delivered free, yet most or
them are within i've minutes Of the
post0ff7ce, and many OF them have plen-
ty OF leisure time and the trip would
do them good. Many farmers now have
free mail delivery. Throughout the lana
there are several millions of people in
very moderate circumstances to whom
the saving OF even 81 per year IS an I'M
portant item. Why not make the boxes
in the postoffices free and allow more
than one family to use the same box,
If they wish? Tariff bills for rich man
ufacturers are attended to promptly
Financial measures for rich bankers
are put through, and objection and de-
bate is not tolerated Shipbuilding Jobs
are coddled with prompt manifestations
Of affection Mrs Grant was granted
a pension of $1,000 in thirty minutes.
Would it be possible for the millions OF
people in the United States to have
free use OF a box in their postoffice with
in eleven years? Yours truly lll3y-.e.e,-,r
Congressman Long has introduced
bill to grant an increase Of pension to
John NJ. Harnett of Kansas.
The people of Alma, Downs. ana
Usage city petftioned congress this week
to regulate the sale of oleOmargarin by
passing the Grout BILL
The galleries OF congress now begin
to resemble the orchestra chairs Of q
theater in the evening This is not SO
much due to the bright and pretty cos
tunes of numerous brides, but to the
fact that nearly all the ladies remove
their hats. It is q new custom in the
galleries, but 1t is one that gives to the
sessions OF the senate the character CT
an afternoon tea
A bill for an increase OF pension has
been reported on the private calendar of
the house for Lewis o. Horsey or KAN
sas.
Petitions are still coming IN from
Kansas asking for legislation to abolish
the army canteen- Request from the
citizens of Garnett IS the latest arrival.
Senator Harris presented 1t Thursday.
Congressman Esidgley has introduced
a bill to grant pension to Emma M.
Thompson OF Kansas.
Upon the recommendations Of Mr.. E7ar-
ris a bill for the relief of Cassie Or1ne
of Kansas was withdrawn from the files
of the senate and the case Indefinitely
postponed. L. W THAVIS
Richer in Quality than most I0c. Cigars.