The Portland daily press., 1867-12-11
WASHINGTON.
DECISIONS UNDER THE HOMESTEAD LAW.

DECISIONS UNDER THE HOMESTEAD LAW.
WASHINGTON Dec TO-
1t has been decided at the General Land
Office, in reply to communication from par
ty IN England wishing to have lands selected
aud secured for himself and others as a home
stead, under the act of May 20, 1862, and the
supplemental acts in advance of the coming OF
the emigrants to the United States, that TINS
cannot be done, as the law requires that tne
party desiring the homestead shall be a cll1ze1
OF the United States, or have regularly hieu
his decartion of an intention TO become such
before the entry can be made SO as 10 secure
he lands and Furthermore, 1t is required
that the nreIiminary affidavit required of the
plrty cannot be made outside of the United
States limits.
SUFFRAGE IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
The bill striking out the word white" from
the charters of this city and Georgetown, and
from all the laws Of this District, which has
passed both Houses, went to the President to-
day. A veto is expected. M feu
INTERNAL REVENUE DECISION
The Commissioner OF Internal Revenue has
decided that the position of Treasurer in the
Order of Odd Fellows, Free Masons or similar
organizations, is not office " thin the mean
ing of the statute Bords given by such Off
GERS requires only twenty-five cents stamp.
NATIONAL DIsTILLERs CONVENTION.
The National Convention of Distillers and
Dealers in Spirits was leld at Wizards Hotel
this evening. Mr.. Curtis, of Illinois, was elect
President. Committees We're appointed on
rectifyers and manufacturers, on distilers and
commission merchants. There were about
thirty delegates present, and others are contin-
nalfg arriving. F&# B8b 7EbB
BREvET RANK
New YORK, Dec 10.
The. Posts special says the House Military
Committee have agreed to report bill abol-
ishing brevet ranks, and prohibiting any fur
Their breyeting except during actual war.
The Senate Finance Committee have agreed
to support the Presidents suspension of Col
lectof James, of Richmond.
THE wHIsKEY TAX. 0asu13
The Convention to be held tomorrow of
whisisey distillerS and commission men inter
ested in the business will be the most import
ant of the kind that has yet taken place. The
delegates have nearly all arrived. An extern
sve distiller of Illinois, Mr.. Curtis, Intends to
prove that the Internal revenue has failed to
collect five cents gallon on the quantity of
whiskey consumed in his State during the
past six months. The bonded warehouses, it
will be shown, are a great source of the pre-
vailingi frauds, and the easy manner in which
revenue collectors and brokers acting in col
fusion manage to hoodwink the government in
taking whiskey out of hand, ostensibly to be
sent to Europe, when it really finds its way to
California and into rectilying dstilIeries in the
Eastern cities, will he exposed very clearly. It
will be urged up On Congress to tax all whiskey
before 1T leaves the distilleries, and reduce the
Tax to twenty cents. ff 81
- SOLDIERS AND SAILORS UNION.
At meeting of the Soldiers and Sailors
Uuion at Washington last evening says a
Washington special, Col. Wass stated that
there are at the present moment $4,000
negroes trained to arms, with competent lead.
ers of their own well able to lead them, and
fully determined to maintain the rights they
have recently acquired. He thought the radi-
cal party had suffered a defeat in the past
week, but if the New England men had only
little of the spirit of the old round heads they
would not only have impeached bad ruler,
but brought his head to the block. This sent-
ment was loudly applauded. He expressed
the hope that the South, when loyalty recon
structed, would send up black radical mem
bers of Congress to carry out the impeachment
to its proper issue. Gen. Brisbin spoke after
ward, and made series of complaints against
Kentucky rebels who ostracised Union men
Gon participating. ssfse.a- 10 oi,.4..r,s.
-sse POST OFFICE APPOINTMENTS.
The House Postal Committee have decided
to reporS q resolutionrequiring the Postmaster
General to nermit all members OF Congress to
inspect the papers on file in his department
regarding the removal and appointment of
postmasters IN their districts. - Heretofore the
Department has treated that class of papers
as confidential ~
A RECUsANT- COMMISSIONER.
Commissioner Theaker of the Patent Office
to~o,sg received notification from the Presi-
dent that his resignation would be accepted if
tendered. Mr.. Theaker declines to resign.