, 1872-11-10
Langston's Hopes Blighted---He
Receives No Cabinet Ap-
pointment.
Competitive Examinations in
the Civil Service Pro-
nounced a Fraud.
Return Of Prominent Officials from
Their Eiectioneering Tour.
The Tonnage Dues on Canadian
-: Vessels.

Special Despatch to The Chicago Tribune.
TONNAGE DUES ON CANADIAN VESSELS.
WASHINGTON, D. G., Nov. 9.-At the last ses-
sion of Congress there was some discussion IN
the Senate Committee on Commerce relative to
the propriety Of passing bill aboishing the ton
mage dues on the vessels engaged in trade on the
western lakes and owned in Canada. The dis
covery Vas not then made that our treaty with
Belgium, made in 1858, virtually placed the
whole question Of tonnage dues outside Of the
hands Of the Government, where parties saw fit
to protest against their payment. However, as
this is only q matter Of implication, it is pro-
posed to accomplish the abolition Of the duties
by direct legislation, and the Treasury Depart
ment will make Recommendation to that effect.
DEATH OF NEWSPAPER.
The Patriot newspaper (Democrat), Congress
on Monday, such being the decision Of The stock
holders at their meeting to-day: This enter
prise started with capital Of $100, 900 about two
years ago, nine-tenths Of which has been sunk
in its various vicissitudes. Since then it has
been under several managements, none OF whom
seemed to have discovered the art Of keeping it
from sinking money a.
TIE CIVIL SERVICE.
Numerous Government officials have come to
the conclusion that the present mode Of exam
ination Of applicants for clerkships in the De-
partments, under the Civil Service rules, is sup
plying these Offices with very inferior material
for clerks, and some even who have charge Of
the work OF examination Of applicants pro-
nounce the system fraud on the Government.
PATENT DECISION.
The Commissioner of Patents has recently de-
cided that the one to invent a new and useful
device is entitled to the protection Of a patent,
even it its production was accidental, and not
appreciated at the hme and that mere duphca-
tion ia not invention.
pEREoNAr.
Secretary Delano, having improved his health,
will return here on Tuesday. General Baker,
Commissioner OF Pensions. arrived here to-day.
Judge Morton, Sixth Auditor Of the Treasury,
will return from Alabama to the Post Office De-
partment tomorrow, and it is expected that all
OF the principal officers who have been absent
the greater part OF the summer will return dur
ing the coming week and resume their duties.
It is announced that General Grant Will not
be able to visit his intirm father at Covlngton,
Kentucky, next week, as promised, but that his
visit may possibly be deferred several weeks.
The President will leave here tomorrow even
ing, for Philadelphia, to attend the funeral Of
General Meade, and will return on Tuesday.
Tho President will not be the guest of Colonel
Forney during this visit.
10 the associated Press.1
WAsE1so-oS, Nov. 9.-The report that J. II.
L1ngston (colored) will be appointed Solicitor
General in place Of Colonel Bristow, is untrue:
his name will not be publicly known until it is
officially announced.
Tho report that John 4. Bingham will be- ap-
pointed Minister to Russia is also untrue.
COULD NOT BRING SUIT.
The Supreme Court of the District Of Co1unn-
bia to-day refused to grant an injunction to
restrain the Board of Public Works from col
leeting special assessments upon property for
street improvements, the decision being based
mainly upon technical grounds that the plaintiffs
rou1d unf hr1nsr anti