The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-25
MAY USE MONEY AGAINST THOSE
WHO OPPOSE TAX REDUCTION.
President Tenacious of His Rights
His Veto of DesertiOn Bills Ma
tiOnaI Capital News.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

tractors bond and the contracts have been
prepared, and it is expected that ii will be
received by the Treasury Department to-
morrow. The question of subcontracts
has been settled in a satisfactory man
ner by Pierce and Rankin & Kellogg and
the government. The architects asked the
government officials several days ago II II
would be possible for the contract to be
arranged so that the architects and govern
ment could control the plumbing contract
The officials informed Rankin & kellogg
that such an arrangement was not provided
for by contract and could not be made.
Pierce's contract was not revoked and
the question has caused no delay.
Commissioner of Internal Revenue
Yerkes was called before the House ways
and means committee to-day to give opin-
ion on the advisabiity of reducing the
whisky tex from S1.10 to 20 cents. Although
the meeting was secret, it was learned that
Commissioner Yerkes did not recommend a
reduction. Some of his predecessors have
stated that the whisky tax could be re-
duced without decreasing the amount Of
revenue tax received from that source on
account of the rapid increase Of the con-
sumption of whisky. The present COM
missioner does not agree with them
J. w. Thompson, president of the Ma
tional Distillers Association. has been in
Washington for some time urging favora-
BILE consideration of a reduction bill In
case the dstillers cannot secure a accent
reduction they Will be satisfied with half
that amount but insist that some conces-
sion should be made by this Congress. They
have plenty of money, and say II the bill
is defeated those responsible will hear from
known 1t is not on the programme to re-
duce the whisky tax, and the present out
look for the passage Of such bill is not
very encouraging to the whisky men.
xxx
When President Roosevelt vetoed the de-
sertion and court-martial bills recently
passed by Congress he stated in the veto
messages that Congress did not have the
constitutional right to direct him by an act
to correct a military record, inasmuch as
the pardoning power was vested in the Of
flee of the President and not in Congress.
subcommittee of the House military COM
mittee composed of Esch. Stevens and Hay
are now at work investigating this ques-
ton, and should they discover that the
President is in the wrong an endeavor will
be made to pass these bills over his veto
II he Is right no action will be taken on
the thousands of bills now pending before
the House and Senate committees. An IN
yestigation shows that different Presidents
have in the past signed over two hundred
bills of this character.
Senior Tavier, the Portuguese charge,
has informed the State Department of the
arrival in Washington of Visconde de Alte.
the newly appointed Portuguese minister,
who replaces Senior Santo-Thyrso. The
new minister is expected to appear at the
State Department tomorrow. Private
correspondence makes II clear that the
r1ir1iC wa u of mis-
understanding which cost him his post. 1t
was always an official mystery as to why
he left Washington so suddenly without
word Of his purpose. 1t was rumored that
his disappearance was connected in some
way with the death of the late President
Mckinley. 1t is now learned that the min
lister was told at the White House, when
the late President was nearing his end.
that his death had actually occurred, a
result Of misread telegram. The minister
FASTENED to inform his government by
cable. Mr.. Mckinley did not die until a
day or two later, and the Portuguese min
lister for foreign affairs had meanwhile
unwittingly circulated a premature report
for which Santo-Thyrso paid the penalty
in losing his position.
1t was stated to-day in an authoritative
quarter that reports to the effect that Lord
Pauncefote was seriously indsposed were
not warranted by the facts in the case
Those very close to the ambassador and
fully informed concerning his condition say
that he has been suffering for a long time
from govt, but that of late he has been
much better, although the two recent hot
days were rather trying upon him. With
this there developed lately a slight
asthmatic trouble, which led to a consuta-
ton with a specialist in such affections
His report was very satisfactory and this
together with the improvement i'm the govt
relieves those about Lord Pauncefote from
any apprehension. 1t is said moreover
that the ambassadors condition has never
given cause for alarm. In this connection
reports that certain recent disclosures in
connection with the Spanish war negotia-
lions were connected with the continued
stay i'm the United States of Lord Paunce-
fote are dismissed by those aware of the
facts as entirely groundless.
The arbitration commission which has
been considering the claims of Rosa
Gelbtrunk, an American citizen. against
the government of Salvador for damages
amounting to So. 600 on account of prom
erty belonging to her late husband de-
stroyed or seized by victorious rebel SOL
diers in Salvador in the revolution of 1895
to-day decided against the claimant III Is
believed that the basis of the action was
failure of the claim and to prefer the claim
within the eight months allowed by the
Salvadorian government for its reception
The same arbitration commission will rem
der its decision in the case OF the Salvador
Commercial Company before May 15
The President had among his guests for
luncheon to-day G.. S. Mellen. president of
the Northern Pacific Railroad.
Xxx
The Senate failed to go into executive
session to consider the nomination of Gen
Crozier to be chief OF ordnance at the close
of routine business to-day. notwithstanding
a previous agreement TO the effect that
this should be done. The committee on mill
itary affairs desired delay, as il to-day de-
cided TO make a more detailed investiga-
ton before taking the matter up in the
Senate, Senator Scott suggested il had
been represented that injustice had been
done General CroZier in connection with
his interest in the Burlington rozier gun
carriage The committee decided to make
further investigation. but without asking to
have the adverse report already made by
the committee In General Crozier's case
withdrawn. All persons having knowledge
of the gun carriage. and especially the
members of the board of ordnance and for
tifcations. of which General Miles is pres
ident. will be summoned To give testimony.
The Senate adopted a resolution offered by
Senator Proctor directing the secretary
OF war to send TO the Senate copies Of all
official reports from artillery officers in re-