Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-01-31
Old CLAIMS ALLOWED.
Forty-fiye Bills for Private
Claims Passed by Lower
House of Congress
MANY OF THEM FRAUDULENT
Payne and Cannon Make Intellectual
Efforts to Stop the Stampede, But
the Bills Went Thru With Rush
The immigration Bill Discussed in
committee-other News.

Washington. Jan. a1.-Friday was the
last private claims day Of the congress
in the house and members with bills on
the calendar carried everything before
them in committee of the whole. Forty
dve,bills in all were acted on favora-
bly,, despite the efforts OF Mr.. Payne,
the republican floor leader, assisted by
Mr.. Cannon and others. to defeat some
of them. Many of the claims were old,
dating back to the civil war, and a few
prior to that time. The lat
ter were for balances due for carrying
mails in the south when the war broke
out. Mr.. Payne was particularly insist
ent in his opposition to these bills, CALI
ing attention to the exposure Of the
fraudulent character of many similar
claims in the Fifty-fifth congress. He
expressed the opinion that all these
claims had been paid before. The men,
hers interested stood together, however,
and voted him down every time he de-
manded division. There were several
bills to reimburse postmasters and In
ternal revenue collectors for stamps
lost or stolen. One was to pay the ball
ance on q contract for Ice furnished the
army hospitals in the Mississippi val
ley during the war. The amount claimed
is $4,000 and is for ice at the rate OF
90 cents hundred pounds. Among
the others were bills to pay George G.
Ellison, an engineer at the capitol in
the '70s, $1,000 for the cost of defending
himself against the charge Of murder;
to pay $4,000 to the widow Of Samuel
Muhleman. one of the victims of the old
Ford Theater disaster when the build-
ing in which were employed govern
ment clerks collapsed, and to refund to
the customers OF w. 81. Jacobs. OF Lam
caster, Pa, the amount of the counter
felt stamps purchased from him. When
the committee of the whole reported the
bills to the house MIR. Payne blocked
their final passage yesterday by making
the point of no quorum. But the friends
of the claims refused to be baked. A
motion was made 70 recess until this
morning at 1920 o'clock In order to
continue the legislative day Of yester-
day, and the sergeant alarms and his
deputies were sent out to arrest and
bring in absentees. It was o'clock at
night before the requisite quorum was
secured to carry the motion and let the
session go over until 1880 this fore
noon.
The house committee on postoffices
and postroads authorized a favorable
report on the bill introduced by Mr..
Gardner, OF Michigan. to prevent rob-
hing the mail and to provide q safer
and easier method Of sending money by
mall 1t provides for a system Of
post check notes which are made ex-
changeable at money order postofices
and banks.
Senators Penrose. Lodge and Fair
banks. leading members OF the senate
comrnitte on immigration. who have
in charge the immigration bill, have
been in conference today with other
members of the senate with view of
obtaining an agreement on the bill
whereby its passage can be secured.
Senator Lodge, who has been the es-
pecial champion OF the education test
for immigrants has agreed to allow that
provision to be Withdrawn, providing
unanimous consent can be had for the
passage OF the bill after the amendment
Is Withdrawn. There are, however. a
few senator's who see danger in con-
ference who are not yet satisfied and
may oppose the bill with the education
al provision eliminated. In the present
condition of legislation It is generally
recognized that the passage of the bill
is impossible unless all opposition can
be removed.
The war department today filed with
the district supreme court Its answer
to the suit Instituted by Frank B. Ed
wards, lieutenant of artillery, u. 8. A.,
and Others to contest the changes in
relative rank affected under the army
regulation act of February2, 1901. The
answer is based on a different opinion
OF construction of the act than that
contended for by Lieutenant Edwards,
and denies that the petitioners rank
has been reduced ~, or any other num-
Der of files, or that his promotion has
been delayed for any period Of time,
and alleges that the petitioners present
rank in the artillery Is the true one
The answer also contends that the
courts cannot control or change the
records of the war department or the
entries of the official army register.
The execution of the act, the answer
alleges, is vested In the president and
secretary of war, and ii is held the
courts are without authority to review
the acts of the executive in the matter.
Captain Henry T. Allen, Sixth cavalry
today was detailed as chief of the Phil
ippine constabulary with the rank of
bligadier general. He has been ait the
head OF the present force since it's orr
ganization in July, 1901. He was app
pointed to the military academy from
Kentucky in July. 1878. and reached the
grade of captain of the Sixth cavalry
in November. 1898. He rendered excel
lent services during the Spanish war
and in the Instruction in the Philip
pines in both volunteer and regular es-
SENSATION IN POISON TRIAL.