Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-10-31
r ITst hsSIStdHt fOStndsteT UthtFdI.~
f.. p. Ross, Esq,
Postmaster at Auburn, n. Y.

and particularly under the joint resolution of
August |, 1856, and the Secretary of the Int
rior referred the question to the Attorney Gen.
eral who decides
First, in reference to the act of August 9,
1854, which provides that all laborers in the
executive departments shall receive an annual
salary of $3.50 each and to the joint resolution
of 1856, which declares that all laborers in
the executive departments and in the public
grounds shall be paid an annual salary of 5000
from and after the LIST of July, 1856.
Judge Black holds that if these laws be the
only measure of compensation for all laborers-
none of them receiving either more or less than
$500 per annum-it would bear unjustly on
those whose services were the heaviest or the
most valuable, and in his opinion, such equali-
cation of sex, color and age was not intended
regulation which paid one by the year who
worked constantly for years together, was rea-
sonable; but an annual salary for person who
spent forenoon in shaking the dust out of the
carpet was too absurd to be thought of. TWAS
manifest that Congress never understood the
act of 1854 or the resolution of 1856 as the pres
ent claimants seemed to understand them; and
he expresses himself convinced that these acts
do not apply to persons employed in the Offices
under the usual appropriations for labor, nor to
persons who are employed on occasions, nor to
persons who work under a special contract
which fixes their wages; but only to those who
are constantly and regularly engaged in plain
manual labor. under the authority of laws
which expressly authorize their employment
and attach them to the several Offices as the la
borers thereof.
GOVERNOR WALKER.-It is already clear to
us that the excitement among the pro-slavery
men in Kansas against Gov. Walkers policy in
setting aside the returns made to him from
johnson county on the ground Of fraud, and
giving the certificates Of election to the Repub-
lican party candidates whom those returns pro-
nOunced beaten, arises frem the fact that his
authority to judge whether the returns were
fraudulent or not is disputed. The question is
a delicate one, and bids fair to lead to inter
minable argument here next winter So far,
we have seen no account intimating that the
returns in question were not fraudulent. Yet
it may be grave question how far the Cover
nor had the right under the law himself to 90
behind the face of the returns in issuing the
certificates OF election. On the whole every
succeeding day and hour seems to complicate
this interminablc Kansas difficulty, and to rem
der it probable that it will again occupy most
of the approaching session of Congress to the in
jury of the public interests generally and to
the peace and brotherly love of the country at
large.
THE SCREw-PROPELLER SLOOPs -OF-WAR-
1t is well-known that one Of the FIVE sloops- of
war authorized to be constructed during the
last Congress) is to be built by Mr.. Westervelt
of New York. three at the navy yards, re-
spectively, of Gosport, Virginia; Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania; and Pensacola, Florida The
question regarding the assignment of the re-
naming vessel is not yet, but will soon be, de-
termined. One of the engines is to be manu-
featured at the Washington navy yard.
In addition to these works, which will be
commenced as soon as the necessary plans and
drawings can be prepared, the work in ship
building or repairing will be vigorously prose-
cuted in The navy yards at Charleston Massa-
chusetts; Portsmouth, New Hampshire; and
Brooklyn, New York.
From this it will be seen that. during the
winter, the mechanics and laborers connected
Herewith will be fully employed. Such, we
learn, is the intention of the distinguished and
popular Secretary of the Navy.
The VALUE OF CoMMA.-In our issue of
yesterday, in introducing Kansas letter ad-
dressed to the st. Louis Republican,, the types
Tor typos made us say:
80 The very last news from Kansas is embraced
in the following letter, which we extract from the
~ Louis Republican. and spread before the Stars
we place little confidence, in the absence Of par
usan bias, in any newspaper correspondent nee 4 ON
Kansas, where, as in this case, we do not know
the writer personally"
Our proof-reader misinterpreted us to the ex-
tent of placing commas after the words conf
deIce" and - bias''-thus making US speak of
the absence of political bias in ourself, rather
than in the Kansas correspondents of the news
papers We make no pretensions whatever to
not being affected by political bias with refer
ence to the affairs of Kansas.
The NAVAL Courts OF INQUIRY Court
No. was not in session to-day.
Before Court No. 2, the case of Commander
Ringgold was continued. DR.. Graham was ex-
amined for Government.
Court No. 8 was occupied with the case of
Capt. MT. VI. o. W dtklnS, Lit w T.
Hunt and Com'r c. Ringgold were examined on
behalf of Capt r. The oral testimony being
closed, documentary evidence was offered.
Nor SO.-The statement telegraphed from
this city that application was made yesterday
by Gov. Ligon, of Md, 80 to the Government for
the employment of the United States troops on
Wednesday next to assist, if necessary, the
State authorities of Maryland in preserving the
peace at the election in Baltimore" is, we are
satisfied without foundation
ARMY OFFICER DEAD.-First Lieut. Thomas
Wright second infantry, died at Fort Randall,
Nebraska Territory, Oct. 18th, 1857
The WEATHER The following report of the
weather for this morning is made from the Morse
Telegraph line to the Smithsonian Institution.
The time of observation is about clock q. m.
OCTOBER 81, 1857.
New York, N. ..cloudy.
Philadelphia, ..cloudy, cool.