The Portland daily press., 1869-05-22
WASHINGTON.


PROCLAMATION OF THE EIGHT HOUR QUESTION.
WASHINGTON, May 12.-By the President Of
the United States of America, proclamation
Whereds, The act of Congress, approved
June 20, 1868, constituted on and after that
date eight hours days work for all laborers
workmen ana mechanics employed by or on
behalf OF the Government of the United
States, and repealed all acts and parts of acts
inconsistent Herewith:
Now, therefore, I, Ulysses s. Grant, Presi-
dent OF the United States, do hereby direct
tha5 from and after this date no reduction
snaii De made in the wages paid by the Gov
ernment by the day to such laborers, workmen
and mechanics on account of such reduction
OF the hours of labor
In testimony whereof have hereto set my
hand and caused the seal OF the United
States to be affixed. Done at the city of
Washington this 10Th day of May, in the
wear of our Lord one thousand eight hum
dred and sxty-nine, and of the indenend-
ence of the United States the ninety-third
BY the President,
HAMILTON FISH, Secretary of State.
SESSION OF UNION LEAGUE EXECUTIVE COM
MuTTEE.
An adjourned session of the National Exc
cutive Committee of the Union League of
America will convene at the st. Nicholas
Hotel, in New York, on the 26tb. Considera-
bic interest is attached to this meeting, from
the fact that certain movements are in pro-
gress tending to display more strikingly than
ever the peculiar efficiency of the machinery
of the league.
ABSTRACT OF NATIONAL BANKS
The abstract of all the national banks, more
than 1000, shows an aggregate of resources
aud discounts, $659,00O, 900; specie, nearly
$8,500,000; legal tender notes, $50, 800 600
three per cent. certificates, SOL 600 O0O The
capital stock is over $42O,O00,OOO.
MINISTER TO HAYTI
II. ID. Bassett, Minister to Hayt received
his instructions from the Department of State
to-day, and took leave of the President. The
rumors prevalent here of an alleged repug-
nance of the Haytien Government to the ap-
pointment of a colored minister to that island
are authorta.ively deifed. On the contrary,
the appointment is declared to be received by
the Haytiens as high compliment to the col
ored race.
DEATH OF COMMODORE M'cAULEY.
Commodore McCauley died in this city to-
day. He had been in the naval service sixty
years.
REPORT ON THE PACIFIC RAILROADS.
The commissioners to examine the Central
Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads consist
ing of Major Gen. G. K.'Warren, j. Blickens-
defer, Lieut.. Col r. s. Williamson and j. s.
Clements, have completed their report, and
the commission has been dismissed. From
h~o Nsn bO aSOCA t1tne0 VI euC tCBtIt tucy cS-
innate that at the date OF their examination
in February last, an expenditure of 50, ,800, ,000
would be required to bringthe Central road uE
to first class road and equip it for through
business with rolling stock, depots, machine
shops, engine houses, sc. Two of the com
missioners, Messrs. Warren and Blackensda
fer, also think an expenditure Of 81 ,6O0, 900 il
required to improve its location. Messrs. Will
hanson and Clements report that the road has
been built upon the location approved by the
Government, and is suitable to all the service
that will be at present required.
Accompanying the report is evidence show
ing that since the examination by the commits
sioners tho Central Pacific Railroad Company
has purchased rolling stock, machinery, iron,
Sc. to the amount of "a, 800 900, the gr eater
portion of which has already been place upon
or is now in transit TO the road. The remaind-
er was being delivered from day to day.
On Union Pacific road they report that al
the time of their examination the sum O
$6700000 was necessary to complete and equiI
the 1895 miles according to the first class
standard, since which time the Company hai
been constantly at work completing the roai
aud placing upon it the material necessary
fully to equip the same according to the re-
quirements of the commission and of the law
The report states that the haste in which the
roads have. been constructed has resulted il
defects of location and construction which
must be remedied to bring the roads to the
standard of efficiency required BIZ law. No ac-
tlon hss yet been taken by the Executive upon
fha rannrt