The Portland daily press., 1873-11-18
WASHINGTON.
Reduction of Postal Rates.

WASHINGTON, Nov. II. - The Postmaster
General to-day issued an order reducing the
registration fee on domestic letters and packa-
ges from 10 cents to s cents, commencing the
LIST of January next.
The Message.
During the brief conversation the President
said he should in his message again recon-
mend legislation on Utah affairs in order TO re-
lieve judicial matters in that territory from the
present embarrassment. He would in calling
attention to financial subjects, submit plan
not yet fully matured, rendering currency more
fully, and preventing 1T, if possible from being
used as recently for gambling purposes.
Treasury Balances,
The following are the Treasury balances to-
day Currency ~, 2S4, 2S2: special deposits of e-
gal tenders for redemption of certificates of de-
post $14,44Q,O0O; coin $50, 629, 1872, including
$29 l45 $50 in coin certificates; outstanding legal
tenders 1862, 1861.
Judgment CONFIRMED.
In the case of Catbarine Brown, colored
against the Washington, Alexandria and
Georgetown Railroad Co., to recover damages
for personal injuries on being put out of the
ladies' car, the Supreme Court to-day affirmed
judgement for the plaintiff, holding that the
court below had jurisdiction and that the action
was properly sustained against the company.
The Cuban Qrestion.
There were few visitors at the Executive
mitted to an audience with the President. Sec:
rotary Fish who brought his portfolio of docu
ments on the Cuban question, was closeted with
the President for an hour and explained the
present state of correspondence with the Span
ish Government, which the President subse
quenty said to the writer of this article that it
would now be improper to make public be-
cause only these were diplomatic usages and
courtesties which it was necessary to observe
pending the CONTROVERSY but in due time the re-
suit would be announced.
This government had thus far acted on such
facts as had reached it and was now engaged
In collecting from all available sources further
information concerning the capture of the Vir-
glaius, and the particulars attending the revolt
Ing executions which followed that event. 1t
is desirable that all information should be of
such character as would leave no doubt what
ever as to its reliability. The propriety of this
course was too evident to require explanation,
the Government being careful in what it may
hereafter do, to act upon facts and not upon
assumptions and uncontirmed reports. 1t was
essential that we should be prepared to IN aim
tain our position. The President said he had
changed none of his views heretofore expressed
by him concerning the events in Cuba but had
more than ever heen confirmed in them Dy re-
recent occurrences. He shared with the pubic
their denunciation of the capture ON the nigh
seas of a vessel sailing with regular clearance
under the United States flag and the startling
events which so quickly followed SPAN never
having considered the Island OF Cuoa IN a state
OF war, and their being no proclamation by the
United States according belligerentt rights to
the insurgents, the yirginius # regularly Gear
ed for the Island of Cuba, had right to enter
Havana or any ther open port OF the Spanish
possession.
This government did not recognize any right
on the part of Spain in the present state of af-
fairs to interfere in any manner with our mer-
chant ships upon the seas except 10 the usual
right in her own ports within one marine