The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-03-28

WASHINGTON, March 49,.
The Steamship AIasIxa,
at New York, has been rendered to the Post
Office Department by the Pacific Steamship
Company for service on the routes between San
Francisco, Japan, and China. If on inspection,
1t is found to meet the requirements of the de-
partment the offer will be accepted.
North Pacific Squadron.
Commodore Taylor, commanding the North
Squadron, Pacific fleet reports his departure from
San Francisco, California, in the United States
ship Mohican, for visit to Puget's Sound, of
about two months duration, to look after
American interests in that quarter. Upon his
return, his flagship Osspee will be in readiness
for him to transfer his flag to her.
Captain Thomas j. Lloyd, U. s. A., unats
tached has been detailed as Professor of Military
Science and Tactics at the Pennsylvania Military
Academy, Chester, Pa.
Cutting Down Naval Expenses.
Secretary Robeson has been compelled to cut
down expenses of the navy in every direction,
in order to keep work within the appropria-
tions. Orders were issued on Saturday for the
discharge of all the hands in the blacksmith
shop at the Navy Yard, and some twenty me-
chanics of this branch received notice on Satur-
day night that their services were no longer
required, as the shop was to be closed. The
rigging loft and galley shop were also closed,
and all but two sailmakers discharged, turning
out of employment over fifty of the best me-
chanics, many of whom have been engaged in the
yard for some time. Orders have been Issued by
the Chief of the Bureau of Yards and Docks to
reduce all expenses coming under cognizance of
this bureau to the lowest possible figure as it is
feared that the balance of the appropriation on
hand will be hardly sufficient to meet the actual
necessary expenditures until the funds of the
| next fiscal year become available. The painters
in the Construction Department have been
placed on quarter time, and the joiners on half
time, and the re-employed yard laborers are
employed on halt time.
| The Amendment Again.
Private information reached here yesterday to.
the effect that the Virginia Legislature proposed
| to rescind its action in ratifyng the fifteenth
| amendment. Several Senators called upon the
President and laid the facts before him. 1t was
| then determined that an effort should be made
| in the Senate to-day to bring up the Texas bill
and pass it Immediately. The President pro-
missed that if this could besdone he would issue O.
proclamation on Wednesday or as soon as the
Texas bill could be passed, announcing the rati-
| fcation of the fifteenth amendment by the re-
| quisite number of States This action, 1t is
thought, would flank Virginia's reactionary
movement, as Texas will complete the twenty
eight States necessary.
| The Tariff Bill.
| The Ways and Means Committee finished
| its amendments to the tariff bill to-day. They
| will be reported to the House by General
bill is closed.
| San Domingo Given Up.
| It is probable that the San Domingo treaty
| will be laid aside for the present. The Presi-
! dent sent message to the Senate to-day an
nouncing that the Dominican Government had
consented to extend the time for the ratification
| of the treaty.
The time prescribed in the treaty for the ex-
| change of Publications expires tomorrow but
! as the Dominicans are anxious to have the
| island annexed they will consent to wait the
| pleasure of the Senate in acting on the treaty.
| ..I Gold for Pensions.
| A bill was introduced to-day for the payment
| of pensions in gold. 1t provides that hereafter
| all pensions to soldiers or their heirs shall be
| paid in gold instead OF currency.
| Nominations by the President.
| Despatch to the Associated Press
The President to-day nominated to the Senate
! Peter j. Ralph to be Supervising Inspector of
! Steamboats, for the Eighth District.
| The Secretary of the National Safe Deposit
| Company denies the statement that General But
| Ter, of the sub Committee on the Judiciary,
| called at that office TO examine the deposits of
| bonds by newspaper men, and says that the OBJ
ject of his visit was merely personal, concerning
certain knowledge in his possession as Witness