Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-02-10
FROM WASHINGTON.

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Washington, 8. The collector of customs
has been notified by the secretary of the
treasury that the shipping act has been amen
ded by Congress so that its provisions do not
apply in the case Of vessels bound to British
North American possessions, West India Is
lands or Mexico.
The President has signed the following
acts: Making appropriations to defray the
expenses Of the investigations IN regard to
the elections in Kansas, Louisiana and Ar.
kansas; the acts to remove the political disa-
bilities Of WIN. A. Graham of North Carroll
ma and A. B. Hardcastle of Mississippi.
Commander Francis Morris is ordered to
the navy yard at Portsmouth.
The senate committee on elections COM
pleted their report on such modes of evil
dence before them as relates to proceedings
in connection with the electoral vote of Lou
isiana. The report is brief, stating the facts
in the case, with recommendations to the SEN
ate on Monday. 1t is concurred in by the
members of the committee.
Secretary Robson was before the House
committee on appropriations to-day, together
with Representatives Leonard and Meyers,
and asked an appropriation of $500, 900 for
League island.
The House committee on commerce con-
Cured on the river and harbor bill and
among other things agreed to recommend an
appropriation of 1926, 900 for the improve
ment Of East river, including He'll Gate, N.
Y; $50, 900 for Portland harbor and 5000
for Buffalo.
The balances in the treasury to-day were
currency o. 1893, 1888; special deposits of le-
gal tenders for the redemption of certificates
of deposits 81, 902 800; coin $1,000, 1913; coin
certificates 1923, 59s, 500.
Both Houses have agreed to the conference
committee on the disagreeing votes upon the
coinage bill and it is practically law and
goes into effect April lst 1t provides that
coins reduced in weight by natural abrasion
not more than one-half per cent. below the
standard weight shall be received by the
treasury department at the nominal value and
recoined if they have been in circulation 20
years. Silver bullion may be deposited for
forming into bars of trade dollars, but not tor
coinage otherwise but silver bullion contain
ed in gold deposits and separated therefrom
may be had in silver coin at such a valuation
as be prescribed by the direction of the mint.
Gen. Mcmillan, senator elect, and Gov.
Yarmouth of Louisiana were at Mrs. Grants
reception this evening.
Among the bills reported from the commit
tee on claims and passed by the House to- day
vas bill appropriatng the various amounts
awarded by the Southern claims commission
last year in payment of quartermaster and
commissary stores furnished by loyalis.s in
the south during the war Of the rebellion.
In response to the House resolution calling
for statement Of the amounts paid the Union
Pacific railroad company for army transporta-
and an estimate of what said transportation
would cost if the railroad had not been con-
structed, the secretary of war has transmit
ted the report of the quarrermaster general
showing that the government paid the follow
ing amounts: For the fiscal year ending
June 80, 1867, SILL Ol; 1868, S969, 2s6 !;
1869, SAT 1886; 1870, S4s7,2ss; 1871, S77l,-
246; 1872, S4Sl, $3.50; 1878, 1921 1858; max.
ing total of $3,35O,040, of which one half
was paid in cash and one half in credits on
account of railroad bonds indebtedness to the
government. The quartermaster general
estimates that the cost of moving the same
troops and supplies by stage and wagons
would have been 80 $50, 1856, showing an esti-
mated saving to the government by railroad
transportation of S6,5Sl ,2s3, or about Go per
cent.
With the exception of secretary of the
treasury, there is no probability of immedi-
ate change in the cabinet and this will depend
on the election of Boutwell, to the Senate.
In such an event, there seems little if any
doubt that Judge Richardson will be Bout
well. Q successor, and the successor to Mr..
Richardson has already been indicated. The
President recently said in reply to a question
concerning the reported cabinet changes, that
he selected the members of it himself and
did not leave that duty to be performed by
the newspapers.
Mr.. Mort, Japanese minister, will in few
weeks return to his own country on a leave
of absence. He offered his resignation, but
the government declined to appoint success
sor.
1t has tean ascertained that only few
member of congress favor an extra sesron.
Senotor Summers health Is improving.
He rode out yesterday.
Senator Cameron is still confined TO his
hotel.
The national council and national execu-
tive committee of the Union League ofAmer-
| lea will meet in Harrisburg, for the purpose
| of participating in the funeral obsequies Of
the late John William Geary.
Some important movement of troops will
soon be ordered by the war department, the
| effect of which will be to take from the states
of Kentucky, North and South Carolina, Ala
| bama and Tennessee, the greater portion of
the United States military forces stationed
where the interests of the government may
require their presence. 1t is learned that
there are troops now under orders for service
| in Utah, and it does not appear that the de-
partment Immediately contemplates an army
in addition to the force already serving in
proximity to the Mormon country. A regi-
ment will soon be stationed along the Rio
Grande, on account of the troubles in tina,
section. In other parts of the south they
will be gradually Withdrawn.