The Portland daily press., 1873-04-25
WASHINGTON.
The Postal Treaty with France.

WASHINGTON, D. c., April 24.-The state
ment tnere was no prospect of an agreement
between our Postofdce Department and the
French npon the adoption OF p pf
pending in this city with the French minister,
who has been fully empowered by his govern
ment in the premises.
Mr.. Brooks.
The condition of James Brooks is represent
ed as somewhat improved. he was able 10 slt
up short time this morning.
A Decision.
On question presented by the War depart-
ment the Attorney General has given MS opin-
ion that INDECENT persons who volunteered III
the Union army during the rebellion anu nave
since that time become insane are eutLtieu -; w
admission to the government insane asylum III
the District of Columbia --
LawIessness on the Texas Border
The Treasury Department has information
of fine following state of affairs on the Texas
border:
ranchero living near Fort Iintman was brutal
ly murdered by Mexicans. His body was
thrown into the Rio Grande, and his animals,
horses and mules driven into Mexico by the
murderers. A party of citizens started in i'm
mediate pursuit, and the Mexicans were over
taken. A fight ensued in which the pursuing
party were defeated, and returned to Fort Lint
man without having accomplished the recovery
of the animals or arrest of the murderers.
In Arizona and New Mexico the Cochise
nominally at peace with the United States, con-
tinue the practice Of their fayorite pastime, aud
occasionally roast white man merely as mat
ter of amusement.
In Mexico matters are in state OF confu-
sion quite beyond the compass of ordinary
mind. There are wars and rumors OF wars IN
Sonora and SnalOa. In Chisuahua several
business houses have been closed by the officers
of the general government, and their property
appropriated by the State on account OF duties
alleged to be due on the introduction OF mef-
chandise, on which duties are levied in COM
pliance with the authority granted by the late
President Jaurez.
The writer of the official communication to
the Secretary Of the Treasury says: Where all
this will finally end is a question of importance
and interest. Its immediate results are being
daily demonstrated by the gradual decrease OF
business affairs of all descriptions, the disre-
gard shown to law and legal authorities, the
frequent violation of the extradtion treaty ON
the part of Mexico, coupled with the refusal of
civil officers or inability probably the latter to en-
force her own laws and control her own people,
has crippled American Interests to an incredi-
BILE degree This perpetual turmoil and strife
across the border in addition to Indian depreda-
tons, is fast depopulating this section. Since
my arrival at this place, Paso del Norte, aooas
two years ago. there has been decrease OF at
least ten per cent. in the white population, and
it is still growing less, and unless some meas
ures are adopted with the view of providing
better security for life and property from the
lawlessness Of Mexicans and slaughter by the
Indians, the collection district OF Paso del
Norte will dwindle into a wilderness and be-
come an expense to the general southwest
Treasury Balances.
H,e following are the Treasury balances to-
day. Currency So, 145, 1863; special deposits Of le-
cal tenders for redemption of certificates of de-
post $27, S25,O00; coin SO, 1886, 1893; including
S25. S77 800 in coin certificates; legal tenders
outstanding 1857 1862. 036.