Rensselaer Republican, Volume 28, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 December 1896 — WASHINGTON. [ARTICLE]

WASHINGTON.

Secretary of State Olney, it is reported on excellent information, has under consyerftticm a treaty of annexation of Ilatvaii to the United States. The Secretary of the Interior has der cided that the amendment of sections 2289 and 2290 of the revised statutes does not authorize _ the homestead entry of lands included within the»lin):ts of an iiF corporated town. It is held thdt sound public policy would not allow such acquisition qf lands so situated aud thereby likely largely enhanced in value. Secretary Carlisle Monday transmitted to .the Speaker of the House of Representatives the estimates of appropriations required for the 1 fiscal year ending June 30, 1898. They are recapitulated by titles as follows, cents being omitted: Legislative establishment ....... *4.379.820 Executive establishment 19.865.952 Judicial .establishment ....*c... 0)07,120 Foreign Intercourse 2,082,728 Military establishment . 24,292,0.‘)6 Naval establishment '32.434,773 Indian affairs 7,279,525 Pensions .A, r. 141.328,580 Public work* . 31,437,061 Postal service # ..V 1.288,334 Miscellaneous ... 36.844,210 Permanent annual appropriations 120,078,220 Total $421,718,970 The -estimates for the present fiscal, year amounted to $418,091,073, and the appropriations, including deficiencies and miscellaneous amounted to $432,421,005. Daring the first few weeks-after Presi-dent-elect McKinley assumes his duties' "he will have’ the privilege of making about one hundred and fifty nominations •I Presidential postmasters. The Sen-

ate will have about four hundred cases up for action. During the recess of Congress there have been 104 nominations of postmasters which must, now be subtnitted to the Senate for confirmation or rejection. Ail nominations to fill vacancies caused by the expiration of commissions of postmasters at Presidential offices during this month and January and February must also be submitted, together with nominations for about fifty lower class offices which will be raised to the Presidential rank Jan. 1. These swell the list to about four hundred. The second'session of the Fifty-fourth Congress' was called to order at noon Monday, the Senate by Vice President Stevenson and the House by Speaker Reed. Exac.tly' atjoeon the Vice President entered the chamber, and, going to ■ ihe desk of the presiding officer, gave a tap, whicit brought the Senate to order, while the blind chaplain, Rev. Dr. Milburn, delivered an impressive Invocation. The -roll call showed seventy Senators present. In the House. the hurry and bustle, there was ah air of sadness as members glanced at the black pall which covered the conspicuous desk of the late ex-Speaker Crisp, the Demo- _ cratic leader. *On it were some cut flowers. His portrait in the lobby in the rear of the House was also wreathed with Oalla lilies. After the President’s message had been read, adjournment w»s had.