Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-07-08
From Washington.
WASHINGTON, D. c., July I.

WASHINGTON, d. c., July T.
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
The civil service commission to-day continued
the consideration of subjects introduced at the
previous sessions, especially that of open COM
petitiye examination, in regard to which the
commissioners are making extended inquiries
as to how well the system works where it has
been adopted.
PATENT OFFICE.
The commissioner of patents to-day granted
the application of Mary j. Kelsay, administra-
triX of VIM. S. Gale, deceased, for an extension
OF the patent for rendering joints of steam
pipes tight The extension dates from the 21st
inst. The receipts of the patent office during
the quarter ending June 30th were $1S1 ,S05; ex-
pendltures during the same period, S144 416.
The surplus was paid into the United States
treasury.
MR.. oREswELL.
Postmaster General Creswell returned to-day
from visit 10 Maryland.
TROUBLE WITH INDIANS.
Letters received at the internal revenue office
from Supervisors Fouke and King report that
great difficulty is experienced in collecting the
revenue in the districes of Arizona and Dakota,
by reason of the hostility of the Indians in
those territories, rendering travel insecure. In
Dakota, the steamer for the west, plying on the
Missouri river, was attacked by Indians, a few
days ago, and ndded by bullets.
THE CROPS.
1t is officially announced at the department
OF agriculture that there has been no ANALYSIS
oil the cotton and other reports for July, not
more than three-fourths of them having been re-
-eeived, and none from Texas and other distant
states.
THE KUKLUX QUESTION.
The kukluX investigating committee to-day
examined Joseph IL, Speed, Alabama, an ex-
confederate officer, and now regent of the state
university and superintendent of education in
Perry county. He testified hat the section of
Alabama in xuIfa ha i
peaceable until last winter, when bands of
armed and disguised men began to commit
outrages OF various kinds. This state of affairs
continued for while, but recently, SO far as
the witness knows, things have been quiet
throughout the state.
The committee also examined Alfred Rich
ardson, colOTed resident of Clark county
Georgia, and formerly member of the legisla-
ture. he testiti ID that in January last a band
OF disguised men, whom he believed to be ku-
kluX, came to bis house, fired at and wounded
him. He returned the fire, wounding one of
his assailants MORALLY; whereupon they re-
tired. he knew no cause for this attack, Whip
ping and similar outrages still continue in the
vicinity and have created such terror that many
negroes living in isolated places have broken
up their homes and gone for safety to the
towns, where they have nothing to do and suffer
distress.
INCONVENIENCE TO TRAVELLERS.
The United States minister at Brussels, on
the 23d ult., reported to the department of state
that much Inconvenience is just now being ex-
perlenced by Americans entering France and
Belgium. Passports, with the Elsa of the Bel
gan consular agent, are required of all persons
entering Belgium from France or England
though not required of those entering from the
east. All American passports, except those
issued at the United States legation at Brussels,
are required to have the American consuPs Uisd
before French consul will Visa them. Ladies
travelling alone without passports are sent back
from the French frontier, and wife accom-
panying her husband is not allowed to pass I'M
less she is named in the passport, or has means
oil satisfying the officer that she is the wife.
EXAGGERATED.
DIR. W. E. Johnston, well known American
physician in Paris states that the reports of
mortality in that city have been much exagger-
ated, that the sanitary condition of Paris is salts
factory, and no epidemic prevails. Statistics
show that the city is more healthy than Lon
don in proportion to population, and the death
rate is not as great as at the same time last
year.
CATTLE DISEASE.
In order to prevent the introduction into the
United States of the cattle disease, known as
the hoof and mouth disease, now prevailing in
Chilli and the Argentine republic, ord RS have
been issued that no cattle or hides be allowed to
enter United States ports from those countries
unless accompanied by an invoice having a
consuls certificate that he is satisfied thatithe
importation is freeIirom disease.
BOWEN.
Ex-Congressman Bowen received a telegram
last evening, from a friend at Long Branch,
stating that the pardon in his case would be
forwarded by today's mail.