Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-02-27

THE PACIFIC ROADS AGAIN.
The senate committee on Pacific railroads re-
port an annual saving of S3,000,000 to the gov
eminent in the cost of Transportation of ireights
and mails to the Pacific coast since the compile
ton of the road, and say that is clear that it is
for the interest of the government that these
roads should remain in their present hands. If
the present company should be crushed, one of
two results must happen. Either the roads must
pass into the hands of the first mortgage bond
holders, or the government must take the roads
and pay the first mortgage. The last result no
leE iSator can look upon with favor, aside from
any legal or equitable claims. 1t would, there
fore, seem that the best interests of the United
States would be served by patronizing the roads
to the full extent of the public business, and
that no trfing difference in terms offered upon
other routes should be allowed to divert business
from the Pacific railroads.
FINANCIAL.
Secretary Boutwell, will sell seven millions of
gold and purchase ten millions of bonds in
March.
Nine hundred agencies, for the negotiation of
the new government bonds, have been accepted,
and seventeen hundred rendered.
The agents in London will be i: Barring Bros.
& Co., A. NJ. Rothschild & Sons, Morton, Rose
& Co., Jay Cooke, McCulloch & Co. ; In Frank
fort, NJ. A de Rothschild & Sons In Paris, de
Rothchilds Bros, DIexel, HargieS & Co. and
IN Amsterdam, Hope s Co., and Becker &
Field.
MORE ABOUT MR.. PARKER
Mr.. Sargent, from the committee on Indian
affairs, reported yesterday on the charges pre-
lerred by William Welsh against Commissioner
Parker. The committee say they have not found
evidence of fraud or corruption on the part of
the commissioner. With much to criticise and
condemn, arising partly from the vicious system
inherited from the past, and partly from the
errors of judgment in the construction of the
statutes passed to ensure economy and faithful
ness in administration, the committee have
found no evidence of any pecuniary or personal
advantage sought to be derived by the commits
sioner or any one connected with his bureau.
1t appears from the evidence that the commits
sioner did not consult the board of Indian COM
missioners in making purchases of provisions or
any goods for the Indian service, except dry
goods, blankets and articles of that character.
THE JOINT HIGH COMMISSION.
The English Alabama claims commissioners
called on the president yesterday informally,
and were introduced by Secretary Fish, Mutual
expressions of hope that the joint commission
would amicably adjust all the difficulties be-
tween the two countries were made. The presi-
dent was Informed by Minister Thornton that
the remaining English members of the commits
SION would reach Washington almost immedi-
ately. Afterwards, the commissioners :alled on
Senator Sumner, chairman of the senate COM
mittee on foreign relations, and General Banks
chairman of the house committee. Last night
Secretary Fish entertained the five American
at dinner The joint commits
sion will effect preliminary organization on
Monday.
BLACKNiAILING IN THE PATENT OFFICE,
The patent office has been In high state of
excitement during the past week, occasoned by
the discovery Of the operations of Z. w. w.
Griffin, clerk in charge of the draughtsman di-
vision, where it appears he has been levyng
blackmail on the lady employees Of the office
for nearly two years, During the administra'
e 81 ,1,1 l.e.
tents, large number of ladies were employed |
for the purpose of recopying the draughts of
those already on file, when ordered by the in~ |
vcntOrs. These ladies were placed under the |
charge of Griffin, with power to retain the office
so long as their services were satisfactory. 1t |
has been proved that Griffin hired these ladies |
at regular salaries of $1,000 per annum, the most
OF whom he biaGkmailed to the amount of S400 |
per year each. 1t is estimated that he has made |
$1,000 per month for the past two years.
The matter was brought 10 the notice of Com
missioner Duncan, and an investigation has been |
ordered. which resulted in the dismissal of Grit |
fin. 1t is thought there ape other cases OF this |
kind, and the commissioner expresses his deter |
mination to ferret them all out and make & clean |
sweep of all parties in his department engaged |
IN sWiGdlng operations against the government |
or against individuals. The patent office has
for long time been considered a rich field for
operations of this kind, and investigation has
often been suggested, but passed UNDECIDED by
the prepep authorities, II Is ppenly stated thar
an investigation into the relation existing be-
tween certain examiners of patents aud GER
tain patent agent would disclose more fearful
state of Matchmaking than exists in all the other
government departments combined,
PROCLAMATION by the FREsIpENF.
The president To-day issued the following
proclamation;
By the president of the United States,
4 PROCLAMATION,
i'm a m
on the 18th day OF this month"; by the government of
Portugal that the discriminating duties heretofore
levied In the ports of Portugal on merchandise I'M
ported in vessels of the United States into said
ports, from other eouptres than tnsse OF which
SAID merchandise was the growth, production or
have been abolished;
Now therefore, /, Ulysses $. Grant president of
she United States of America, by virtue of the
authority vested 10 me by act Of congress Of jan.
laFy 4, 1874, and by an act in addition thereto Of
May "a, ls2s hereby declare and proclaim that the
Il terminating duties heretofore levied In ports Of
he United states upon merchandise imported in
vessels from countries other than those
1f which SAID merchandise Is the growth pruduct
Is manufacture, shall be hereby suspended and dis.
,6ntlnued, nissqspensionog dseontil1anee tqtake
effect on and after the said 18th day Of this MONTH
Of merchandise belonging to citizens Of the United
1tgtes from such discriminating duties shall be
granted 10 the ports of hoktuga
In testimony whereof ] have hereunto set my
hand and caused the seal Of the United States to BE-
affixed
bone at the city Of Washington, this tventy.afth
day OF February, in the year OF our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, and Of
the independence of the United States of Amer.
lea the ninety-ifth. U. s. GRANT.
By the president
HAMILTON FISH, secretary Of state,