Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-10-24
From Washington,
IMPoRTANT pECIsIox.

IMPORTANT DECIsIoS.
WASHINGTON, d. C., Oct. 23.-rhc following
decision has been rendered in the supreme
court:
"No. 1853. The United States rs. WTn. ". Burns.
Alpcol from the court Of claims
In this case the court OF claims found that in
February, 1858, the United States entered into
contract with the agent Of what IL known as the
Slhlt patent tent, by which the government was
authorized to make and procure as many of the
Slhly tents as 1t might require at IS each. Sub
Sequcntly, Burns by assignment became half
owner OF the patent, and at the outbreak of the
war, Sibly, who owned the other half, joined IN
the rebellion, and the royalty on his portion of
the patent was withheld. Burns, however, re-
naming loyal, was paid - 80 on each tent used
in the army, until Dec. 90, 1861, when the secre.
tary of war decided that such payment was
violation of the revised army regulations and
directed the payments to he discontinued, and
the order was enforced. The court, however,
found that the order did not terminate the con-
tract and gave Judgment for the claim. The
government appeal, and now insists that the
contract was to continue only ut the will of the
department; that there was no contract between
Burns and the United States that was binding
on the latter; that Sbly's joining in the rebel
lion and becoming public enemy dissolved the
partnership between him and Burns and termi-
mated any interest which the latter might have
had in any contract made by Sibly before the
date of his contract with Burns. 1t is also in
sisted that the order Of the secretary of war,
made in December, 1861, terminated any con-
tract existing in respect of the patent, and that
Burns was not entitled to recover royalty on
tents manufactured after that date"
PENSIONS.
The warrants for the payment of pensions
are now being prepared and forwarded to the
agents throughout the country. Pensions are
now paid quarterly. Over S7,00O,OOO are ie-
quircd each quarter.
The postal convention for the international
mail via the lSthmuS of Daricn, has been signed
by the government Of Ecuador
Numerous bids were opened to-day for carry
ing mails in the southern states over routes
where the accepted bidders of last spring failed
in their contracts.
The negotiations for new postal treaty with
France are permanently suspended About a
year ago tue postmaster general had arrange
ments penang Tor postal convention which,
owing TO the war, were interrupted. The French
nation, now DESTROYS to recover as soon as posi-
bic from the losses by war, are raising the rev.
cnuc by every attainable means, aud has so i'll
creased the postal rates as to make it impracti-
cable Tor the United States to agree to the prOpo-
sition in the premises.
RECEPTION OF PRINCE ALEXIS.
No arrangements OF very extraordinary
character have been made fer the reception of
Prince Alexis this week The presentation TO
the president will be very quiet After a day
spent here the prince will return to New York to
participate in the festivities that have been pre-
pared for him so deliberately there
THE TERRITORIAL LEGISLATURE.
Among the nominees for the territorial legsla-
ture of this district are Samuel X. Bond, a native
q Essex county, Massachusetts, John w. lie,
Barnes VINO was at one time prominently CON
nected with the labor reform committee of Mas
sachusetts, and Lemuel Barsley native of
San9erVllle, Maine MIR. b. was i member of
the late legislature.
INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT LAW.
1t 10 Deliycd by those interested in the project
to secure the passage by congress of an interna-
tiona copyright law, that cooperative overtures
have been secured from France, England and
Germany.
FILLING UP.
The city is rapidly filling up with persons
from all sections OF the country, who usually
make the capital their winter quarters ANY
day senators, members, judges, politicians, lob
bylStS and other notables may be seen about the
streets, looking up eligible locations for winter
residences. Business has measurablv revived,
with indications of an unusually lively season.
CAUSE FOR DIPLOMATIC ACTION.
Diplomatic correspondence between the
United States and England has grown out of
alleged distractions at the port of Galveston
The British bdrque Rose Brae was seized at that
port, and among the articles taken possession
OF by the collector, was a tin cash-boX, contain
ing papers and currency. The captain alleges
that while the box was in the collectors hands
Il considerable amount OF currency was taken
out of it, and having brought the matter to the
attention of the British minister, that gentle
man has asked through the state department
for an investigation.
THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
Assistant Secretary Hartley is acting secretary
of the treasury, in the absence OF Mr. Boutwell,,
who lett last night for GrOton, and is expected
to return next Saturday.
A case is before the treasury department, in
which diSbursing officer is accused of appro
priating to his own use large amount due
party for supplies furnished in 1864.
DER SHIPS.
The register of the treasury states that the ton
mage of the country is as follows: In 1870 there
were 2S,99S vessels, 4246 5O7 tons; in 1871 there
were 29,17O vessels, with 4,269 532 tons.
SINCERE INDIAN.
letter from the superintendent of Indian af-
fairs, Mr.. Pope, OF New Mexico, states that
Cochise, Apache chief, whom he visited October
9th, is sincere in peaceful pledges, though ex-
cuses himself from visiting Washington.
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
The civil service commission was engaged to-
day in considering systems OF promotion. tx
Senator Cattcll took his place in the commits
sion to-day, for the first time.