The Holly chieftain., 1903-01-02
WASHINGTON NEWS AND
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS


writ Of error in the case of Whitney
Layton against the state of Missouri
on the ground that no federal question
had been raised in the trial court The
case involved the constitutionA1ity oi
the pure food law Of the state and has
attracted much attention. Layton,
whose place Of business ID IN st. Louis
was found guilty in the trial court Of
the use OF alum In the manufacture OF
baking power and . nne of 500 was
assessed against him. The verdict
was afarmed by the state Supreme
Court.
There ts now in progress an active
exchange of notes between the allied
powers, Venezuela and the United
States respecting the method OF sub
hitting to arbitration the issues which
have arisen between Venezuela and the
alliea. Questions are being put and
answers are Forthcoming. but It is said
that the negotiations are tn such Soaps
that 1t would be extremely injudicious
and indiscreet to make each phase
public, II there really existed q desire
to reach satisfactory settlement. The
part Of the United States government
just now 10 that of good friend" to
all parties; 1t not undertaking to draw
up protocols or impose limitations up
on the parties, but il confning its Of
ices to getting them together and
keeping them SO. In this view it will
not be necessary for our government
to prescribe how the Monroe doctrine
shall or shall not figure in the proto-
coils; It will judge for itself by results
how our interests are affected and
will not indulge in premature or un-
called for protests. As for the terms
OF the arbitration agreement, 1t is stat
ed that they are in fair way to be
speedily adjusted. but nothing can be
said Of the details. 1t is presumed that
the allies will agree to terminate the
blockade. though no stipulation has
yet been entered into on that point
Nothing has been heard recently of the
part to be taken by United States Min
lister Bowen In the final settlement and
1t appears that, after all, Venezuela
will probably be represented by one OF
her own people.
The Senate committee on military
affairs has held up pending an inves-
tigation all Of the army nominations
sent IN before the recess below the
grade OF major. The members Of the
committee have received numerous
complaints about the method Of selec-
tion Of oficers under the reorganisa-
tion law. 1t is asserted that great in
justice has been done to officers who
have served quite n long time. Com
plRint has been made that the men
were selected from those who formerly
served as volunteers to- I'LL original
vacancies. and that they became cap
tains as soon ~ they were appointed.
Others appointed, 1t IL alleged, walt
ed from four to seven months before
acceptance of their commissions, which
date from the time the appointment
was made. their rank being determined
by the date of their commission. This
gives them many numbers above West
Point graduates and others appointed
from the volunteers. who entered tho
service and did much hard work, while
the men who delayed acceptance were
enjoying themselves or attending to
business interests. Another allegA-
ton 10 that large number of men ap-
pointed under the reorganization law
Immediately became captains Of artil-
lery and were placed in charge Of guns
and machinery of which they had no
knowledge. To obviate this dimculty
to some extent the secretary of war,
with the approval Of the committee ON
military AFFAIRS, secured the resigna-
ton Of several second iieutenants of
artillery. who thereupon were named
to fill original vacancies as drst lieu
tenants In other branches Of the ser
vice and In some instances very soon
were made captainn-
Because Of abuse of extending special
courtesies to arriving passengers ct
ports Of entry the Treasury Department
has issued the following circular. linn
iting considerably the granting OF such
courtesies in the future: "The chief
officers Of customs are hereby instruct
ed that the extension Of special cour-
tesies to arriving passengers will here
after be limited to foreign ambassa-
dors, ministers, charge d'affaires, secre-
taries. naval. military and other at
taches of embassies and legations and
high commissioners. and to similar
abroad returning from their missions.
All the above officers are entitled by In
ternational usage to the free entry of
the baggage and effects of themselves.
their families and suites without exam
nation. In the case Of invalids and
their companions and Of persons arriv-
ing In charge Of their dead. or sum-
moned home in haste by news Of afiic-
ttion or disaster. instructions will be
issued to facilitate the landing and ex-
animation of their baggage, but such
instructions will be construed as only
relieving such persons from waiting
their turn In line. Their baggage will