Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-12-14
Washington Matters.

The Chronicle and Republican are very
severe in their criticisms of Mr.. Geo. Wilkes,
and the latter asserts that he is dsappont-
ed applicant for the missions to Mexico and
Spain.
Among the combinations made by the
United States Senate Tuesday were George
Bancroft as envoy extraordinary to the Ger
man empire, John w. Douglass as commits
sioner of internal revenue.
Senator Mortons proposition to close the
session in May is not acceptable TO many re-
publicans, some of them thinking that it looks
like desire to prevent Congressional discus
sion of important topics.
There are indications that the Ways and
Means Committee of the House will prepare
during the holidays an amendment tariff bill
reducing the duties on coal, iron and salt,
and greatly increasing the free list
The friends of General Sickles state that
he will not return to the Spanish mission
He is now on his way home at his own re-
quest, and will be granted the leave which he
desires, to remain.
The report of the election committee on
the Texas case settles nothing except that
Herndon, the democrat who was sworn in,
and Clark. republican, are primi facie en-
titled to seats, that is, their credentials are in
the form required ty the laws of Texas.
representative of Governor Palmer of
Illtnois is in Washington to secure if posi-
BILE an order from the Secretary of War for
the removal OF the United States troops from
Chicago. He represents that Gov. Palmer
is very much in earnest about the matter of
| taking even more positive and decided views
on the rights OF the civil authorities than a
few weeks since.
In the United States Senate Tuesday, the
| resolution adjourning from December 81 to
January was adopted. Mr.. Morton moved
| to take up his resolution for a final adjourn
ment on the third Monday in May, whereupon
several amendments were proposed, pending
| the consideration of which the Senate went
into executive session and adjourned In the
| House the resolution for an investigation of
| the various executive departments was adopt
ed. The bill consolidating the postal laws
was passed. The judiciary committee re-
ported bill fixing the first Monday of Nov
ember, 1872, for the presidential election. A
bill appropriating $3.50, 900 for the expenses
of the Geneva conference was introduced md
| referred.
Senator Wilson has introduced a bill es-
taUllshlnS registry OF American anu foreign
shipping. The Secretary of the Treasury is
authorized to appoint three surveyors in each
maritime State, one of whom shall have been
a practical shipbuilder, oRe shall be pract-
cally acquainted with the construction of iron
vessels, and the other shall have been COM
petent navigator and shipmaster 1t shall be
| their duty to examine all vessels that are
| built and all that arrive at their respective
ports and to record each, giving the class and
grade, and the names of the masters and
owners, the form of the rig, the tonnage and
dimensions, number of decks, draft of water
quality of wood and of iron, quality of fast.
enings, when and how sheathed, form O.
model, and degree of seaworthiness. The
surveyors shall also classify all such vessels
into three classes and three grades. Their,
shall be u Surveyor General who shall hav,
general supervision of the several boards o
survey, and shall have power to determine
all questions of dispute between service ant
owners, subject to an appeal for final deci
sion to the Secretary Of the Treasury.