Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1903-01-31

attention to the exposure OF the fraud
ulent character of many similar
claims in the Farty-fifth congress. He
expressed the opinion that all these
claims had been paid before.
Stood Together.
The members interested stood to-
gether, however, and voted him down
every time he demanded division.
There were several bills to reimburse
postmasters and internal revenue col
lectors for stamps lost or stolen. One
was to pay the balance on a contract
for Ice furnished the army hospitals
in the Mississippi valley during the
war. The amount claimed is $4,000.
and is for ice at the rate Of 80 cents
a hundred pounds. Among the others
were bills to pay George G. Ellison, an
engineer at the capital in the los.
IS, 1000 for the cost of defending him
self against the charge of murder; 70
pay $1,000 to the widow of Samuel
Muhleman, one of the victims of the
old Ford theater disaster, when the
building, in which were employed gov
eminent clerks, collapsed, and to re-
fund to the customers of W. M. ia
cobs, of Lancaster, Pa, the amount
Of the counterfeit stamps purchased
from him.
When the committee of the whole
reported the bills to the house Nc.
Payne blocked their final passage yes
terday by making the point of no
quorum. But the friends of the claims
refused to be baked. A motion was
made to recess until this morning al
1920 o'clock, in order to continue the
legislative day of yesterday, and the
sergeant-at-arms and his deputies
were sent out to arrest and bring in
absentees. 1t was s o'clock last night
before the requisite quorum was Sc
cured to carry the motion and let the
session go over until 1920 this fore
noon.
viii Be Prepared.
Two important subjects, in addition
to several routine department mat
tiers, were considered at the cabinet
meeting yesterday. All the members
of the cabinet were present. The
questions of most serious Importance
between the cabine: yesterday related
to Venezuela and the Philippines. In
connection with the Venezuela ques.
ton, the action taken In congress for
the strengthening of the coast de-
Tense Notifications and the improve
ment OF the naval and military es-
adjustments generally was referred
to and cordially approved. It is made
clear that the United States is not ex-
pecting and is not looking for trous
BILE. but the administration is de-
termined not to be unprepared for any
situation that may arise.
Some consideration was given 10
the Philippine legislation pending be-
fore congress. Secretary Root par
ticularly is interested in this subject,
and for a considerable time before
the meeting Of the cabinet he was in
conference with the president In re-
gard to It. While It is recognized tina.
the legislative situation at the capitol
is complicated by the attitude assum-
ed by the senate in the statehood con-
test, the hope is expressed by officials
OF the administration that the impor.-
ant legislation demanded at the time
may be enacted.
Secretary Moody announced after
the meeting that no conclusion yet
had been reached concerning the bids
for the f1rst-class cruisers, Washing
ton and Tennessee, which have beel
under consideration for several weeks.
He indicated that a decision might bs
reached soon.