Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-02-12
FROM WASHINGTON.
WAsuINGToN. Feb.


The Secretary of the Treasury in response
to the resolution of the House of Representa-
tives, has sent a communication to that body
giving information about fur seal fisheries.
together with recommendations as to the best
means of preserving them aud securing rev
cnue therefrom.
The Secretary says great care is necessary
for the preservation of seal fisheries that
animals would either be destroyed or driven
away if the business of capturing them, or
even trade in skins at Island were open free
of compensation; and that such cause would
not only be destructive to business but crimi-
nal wrong to nations who have a right to their
fisheries, at least to that necessary to their
own support and to whom the government OF
the United States is bound to furnish protec-
ton. If the animals are protected 100000
skins may be taken each year without dlmln-
ishlng the supply. The proposition to lease
the Islands for term of years to private par
ties for an annual rental. he deemed objec
tionable, because it would give them exclusive
control of branch of industry important to
the people of the United States. 1.-THE prepa-
ration of skins for use should be transferred
from London to this country, he proposes that
the Treasury Department assume the entire
control of the business of the Islands, and es-
tabish a rigid system of military and naval
police, to exclude everybody but its own SER
wants and agents, and carry on the fur and
seal business with the natives by means of
| Treasury agents The skins so taken be sold
/ by the government at auction at San Francis
co or New York, and the profits if any, to be
appliedto education and religious instruction of
the natives generally, for their physical, intel
! lectual and moral improvement. He states
that the expense of maintaining the military
and navy forces under this plan would not be
much greater than at present.
In accordance with the foregoing recon-
! mendatons, he suggests that the Secretary of
the Treasury be authorized TO appoint agents
to superintend this business, and that an ap-
preparation of 500. 900 be made out of which
the natives shall be paid for labor performed
by them, and other expenses incident to the
business shall be betrayed. In conclusion he
urges Immediate legislation as the season for
operations will soon BERN.
! In consequence of the extensive frauds upon
the revenue from the restoration and use OF
stamps cancelled by the ribbon stamp machine
it is ordered and prescribed by the internal
revenue bureau, that on and after May /,
! 1870, all adhesive stamps used upon the in
struments, documents, writings and papers
mentioned in the schedules of the internal
revenue laws, shall be cancelled by the person
offering the same, by writing upon each and
every stamp in ink, the initials of his name,
the date, the year, the month and day upon
which the same is attached or used; or by
cutting and cancellng the same with a ma
chine called ''Wheclcr's Patent Canceller,'
or such other machine or instrument as may
be designated and prescribed by the said COM
missioner; and that no other method of can
ceiling such stamps employed on and after
that date shall be recognized as legal and
sufficient until otherwise prescribed or or
dercd.
| Joshua Hill and DR.. Miller, formally elect
| ed t. s. Senators from Georgia, are still here,
and will present their credentials at the proper
/ time. Should the Legislature elect other
Senators it will rest with the Senate which
are entitled to admission.
| The President has taken no side in the con-
troversy regarding politics, as he regards the
settlement of the question as resting with
| Congress.
Speaker and Mrs. Blaine's reception was
very crowded this evening Among those
present were Gems. Sherman and Sheridan
many Senators. and Representatives, and Il
large number of the diplomatic corps.