The New York herald., 1871-12-30
.AsHy N q r. o n.

WASHINGTON, Dec q. l57l
Russian Oommercc with Americu-Advnnce Of
hafo OF Living in Russia-The Unpaid Con-
sulatcs.
Minister curtin. writing to the Department or
state recently, says that during the past year reus
in st. Petersburg have advanced from thirty 70 .
fifty per cent the cost OF living, the price OF fuel.
the hire OF servants the cost OF clothing ana OF al,
che necessartes have advanced in almost eouaI
proportion. The Russian is now the only ofhcias
language OF Russia The trade with the United States
is increasing every month During the past summer
25 100000 pounds OF cotton worth sOO0 600 roubes
have been imported from the United States to say
nothing OF petroleum and other articles. Mr. Curtin
SAYS in Russia 1t be impossible get Americans
TO li the unpaid C0nsuates, and they all OF that
character but two-tnose at St: Petersburg and
ODESSA so that unless Congress win repeal the law
our commerce will not have the benefit OF sucn on
GERS In most Of the Russian ports
Civil Service Reform Competitive Exa ultna~
tions Ordered.
The Secretary OF the Treasury addressed the fol.
lowing letter 10 all Collectors OF Customs:-
TREASURY DEPARrMENr.l
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, Dec. 90 1871.
SIR:-The rules IN regard to appointments In the
mssioners on the Clvl service and approved by Ine
President, viii take effect on Monday next On ana
ONCE viii bJ be made IN accordance Win sSosa ruIes
as Tar as practicable. 1t will be necessary to dcsig
competitive examinations Of candidates for ap-
p0intment and for promotion; and until an appro-
prlatiOn shall have been made by Congress TO defray
the expenses 1t will be necessary to name COM
mssl0ners persons who are already IN the service
have, therefore, to request that you will give me
the names OF three persons who are In your opinion
pest aua,ned % TO perform tnat auty ana unless 90.
approved. You Will receive mere With q copy OF the
report OF the commissioners together with the re.
Otherwise directed. Will be the guide OF your com
duct in this business. Very respectfully,
GEORGE y. BOUTWELL,, secretary.
Crime in tine Capital.
Two boys were convicted in the Criminal Court
to-day fOr knocking down man in open daylight
and robbing him OF a watch. They were sctenced
to the Penitentla
1t appearing from the evidence that the watch had
been sold to o Mr. Shea the owner procured a war.
rant for his arrest and also search warrant for the
watch. Shea arrested and taken to Police
Headquarters but the ofhcers deputed to serve
the warrant had trouble. Going into the
house they were ordered OUT by Mrs.
shea, who, armed with long knife,
pistol threatened to take their lives, and 90
convince them she was in earnest iuriously struck
at one OF them, but missing him the knife INT the
counter, cutting Off large portion of it. The
officers, being unarmed at the tlme retired, one OF
them returning to HEADQUARTERS for instructions
while the other remained guard until ne received
noon Oflcer Doyle, accompanied bv TWO
other policemen, returned to the house,
and having Effected an entrance attempted to
arrest Mrs. Shea. Sne resisted their efforts, and
with pistol shot Doyle, the ball taking effect in
his mouth, from winch wound he soon alter died,
bleeding to death before medical assistance could
be procured. The other two Oincers took Mrs. Shea
to the station house. where an examination wlli
take place tomorrow morning.
ia Ersse
The Treasury Department has decided TO hereA
after allow the use by steam vessels OF all cork life
preservers adjustable to the body Of person, by =
whomsoever manufactured when such preservers
are so constructed TO meet the requirements or
rules 81 and 94 adopted by the Board OF supervising
Inspectors, viz.:-"When made Of good. sound cork
blocKs containing Mt least SIX pounds OF cork, nav
ing buoyancy OF four pounds TO poun0
OF cork with bolts and shoulder straps attached
In such manner as to preclude the pos
sbility OF their being accidentally detached from
the body and so constructed as TO place she cork
underneath the shoulders and around the bodies Of
the persons wearing them" In passing preserves
inspectors Will therefore pay no attention 10 the list
OF manufacturers appointed III the Department cir
cuar OF November 6, 1871 Each local Inspector will
be furnished with copy OF the above.
The Depa parsmentai Holidays.
Tomorrow will be observed holiday in all the
departments OF the government The department
buildings Will be closed, not to be reopeued for
business until nine O'Clock A. M. on Tuesday next
The Interior Department will be closed tomorrow
and Monday.
The Treasury Department will be closed from
three O'Clock this afternoon until Tuesday mOrU
ing.
The War Department will also give Its employees
holiday tomorrow, and in all other public offices
here no business will be transacted alter twelve
O'Clock tomorrow noon until ruesda? at ninc A. NJ.
Owlrg to fact tnat New Years Day VIII be OBJ .
served as holiday the public debt statements Tor
the present month will be issued until Tuesday,
January 2.
The FIFTY Dollar Issue and the Counters
letters.
The report that counterleits on nity dollar new
issues nave made appearance is credited
by General Spinner he having received no in,Urina
uon on The subject, whiie one OF the Treasury Sc
cret Service Corps, who has made special inquiry.
pronouaces the report without foundation.
Treusury Iiereiats rOr tae Eiscsi Year.
The receipts from Internal revenue for the first r
six months OF the present fiscal year ending Deccm-
ber a. 1877 l. VIII fall OF 100000 Oj0 The estt-
mate for the year sl2i, ouO 900, anu with the ad
d,t,onal receipts from Increased business it Is
nectea the total receipts TINS scal year VIII exceed
the estimate iuly Sl0,oo0,ooo
Treasury balances.
THO Treasury balances AT tue close OF business 70.
day
Currency ~ oo a1 ., iSa
Coin certificates. 3,o'o, 2oo
Iurr.ury OUTSTANDING.
ire following Is statement or United states cur. =
reocy outstanding at this date-
Ieual tender notes new issue. l51,l7l,5B
Legal tenders series ol ls09.......... ZjH.226 c8t
One wear notes OF 1868. .................. le,4H
TWO year notes of 1883. ................. 40 551