Evening star., 1902-05-09
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
Announcement as to the Port
Chalmette Affair.
SEC. HAY TO MAKE IT
ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS COM
PLETED HIS WORK.
General Belief That Neutrality Laws
margarine Bill Signed.

President Roosevelt did not transact any
business at the White House this morning
before leaving for the Sampson obsequies
with his cabinet To the congressional and
other callers he explained that he was
about to depart for the funeral Of Admiral
Sampson, and would see them some other.
time. When the President left for the
Church of the Covenant he was accom-
panied by all of his cabinet officials, Sec
retary Cortelyou,- Colonel Bingham and
Commander Cowles. The party returned to
the White House about 40 O. clock, and
the President and cabinet entered cabinet
session.
The Port Chalmette Affair.
Secretary Hay has been intrusted with
the preparation of the announcement that
is to be made as to the investigation of the
charges that Port Chalmette, La, is
British supply camp, in violation of the
neutrality laws. Attorney General Knox
has concluded his investigation of the law
as it applies to the case from the facts
presented by Lieutenant Colonel Enoch ii.
Crowder, and has reported his findings to
the President.
His opinion as to whether there is any
violation of neutrality or other information
al laws, together with the report of Col.
Crowder and all the other papers, have
opinion He will prepare whatever an
nouncement is made. The belief prevails
strongly in official circles that the result of
the entire affair will be finding that no
neutrality laws being violated or have
been violated.
Discrimination as Depository.
Representative Cooper of Texas is trying
to induce President Roosevelt and Secre-
tary Shaw to withdraw an order that has
hoap NV lot he
American National Bank of Beaumont as
depository of government money.
This bank became a depository through
the efforts and influence of DR.. John Grant
of Texas, who was summarily dismissed as
collector of internal revenue by the Presi-
dent a few days ago. DIR. Grant was dis
missed because he accepted 50 600 from the
bank for his services Because of this pay
ment of money the President and Secretary
Shaw agreed that the bank should be dis
continued as a depository. Representative
Cooper represents to them that the bank Of
| f1cials and directors knew nothing of the
agreement with DR.. Grant, and that the
bank should not be made to suffer as the
result of the indiscretion of a man who is
no longer connected with it. This official
was Mr.. Withers, who was president of the
bank, and made the arrangement with Dr.
Grant. Mr.. Withers is not with the bank
The President is considering the appeal
made to him.
Oleomargarine Bill Signed.
President Roosevelt signed the oleomar-
garine bill during the session of the ca binet
today. The President has had the bill for
more than a week and given it careful con-
sideration. The new law will give the
Treasury Department great deal Of work
in the preparation of new regulations.
Representative Henry of Connecticut Sc
cured the pen with which the 'oleo' bill
was signed and will give it to a constituent
Eugene F. Ware, the new commissioner
Of pensions, paid his respects to the Presi-
dent today. He called on the chief execu-
tive with H. Clay Evans, the retiring COM
missioner. Mr.. Ware has not decided when
he will enter upon his duties. 80.
The Rathbone Case.
President Roosevelt and his cabinet spent
considerable time today discussing the
case Of E. G. Rathbone, in whose behalf Sen
ator Hanna has been making a most siren
uous effort. Senator Hanna has directed
all his work recently toward getting the
President to set aside the verdict Of the
Cuban courts in the case OF Rathbone and
directing that he be granted a new trial.
Senator Hanna believes that new trial
would result in the acquttal of his friend.
Further than this, he is animated by a
most peculiar situation confronting Ameri
cans who are under sentence to serve terms
in Cuba After May 90 when the Cuban
government assumes charge Of government
tai affairs, there will be no power to grant
pardons, and the consequence will be that
every American then undergoing imprison-
ment will have to serve out his sentence,
without hope Of clemency. This would
mean that Rathbone would have to remain
in Cuban prison for every day of the SEN
tence given him. There is no provision in
the Cuban constitution for the pardon of
people who have committed offenses Of any
kind against the state.
Senator Hanna had long conference
with the President recently about this case
and endeavored to have the President be-
come interested in the matter. The case
was not formally before the cabinet today,
inasmuch as the papers have not arrived,
and the President will not act until he goes
over the case thoroughly. There Is not
much more time for action and the Pres-
dent will have to quickly cover the ground
when the papers are put before him. Any
action he may take will be effective until
May 20, when the new government would
come in. leaving Rathbone and the others
to their fate.
There was suggestion in the cabinet Of
the general proposition for amnesty to all
Cuban prisoners before American occupa-
tion ceases, but no conclusion was reached.
The discussion was not definite in this re-
spect.
Southern Postmasters.
Postmaster General Payne discussed
number of post offices with the President
after the cabinet had adjourned. Most Of
these were in the south, and at some places
there had been most bitter fights. There
was a warm fight over the post Office at AL
bany, Ca, much opposition developing to
giving another term to B. F. Brmberry,
the postmaster. Something Of a compro-
mise has been reached by a recommenda-
ton from the Postmaster General to nomi-
nate the postmaster's son, Hal Brimberry
as postmaster and this will be done. Alex
ander Smith, the postmaster at Baton
Rouge, La, will not get another term, ow-
ing to a fight upon him, and new man
has been agreed upon.
Drydock Workmen on Strike.
Rear Admiral Endicott, chief Of the bu-
reau of yards and DOCKS has been Informed