The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1873-11-28
GENERAL.


tor Roanoke for sea. She viii be ready in a
( month.
"A Washington special says the navy de-
partment has ordered recruiting offices opened
/ throughout the country, and the navy will be
recruited to the utmost capacity allowed by
law.
The postmaster-generaI has issued an Or5
/ der reducing the registration fee on domestic
/ letters and packages, from fifteen to eight
cents, commencing on the frat of January
/ next.
The chief engineers corps has ordered Of
fcers in charge of harbors to put them in
proper defense, and tOrpedoes, with necessary
electrical cable instruments, to be planted
along the coast.
arrangements have been entered into be-
tween the United States and Germany for the
exchange of postal cards of the two countries,
to go into effect on the first of December,
1878. The arrangement is precisely the same
as with the Canadian government.
Unusual activity prevails in the Washing
ton navy yards, and in some departments over
time is being made. A large force Ia al work
on the steamer Shumat, third class, two guns,
belonging to the North Atlantic station, and
the TallapOOsa, transport, a paddle-wheel
steamer, is being rapidly repaired. A large
force is engaged in the ordnance department.
Evidence accumulates that Cuban matters
VIII require much correspondence and cause
quite delay. It is sserted in prominent
quaters that no complication need be feared,
the administration sees its way clear, and
while war Will be averted the probability is
that Cuba will be free. The navy department
is ordering officers to the Franklin, Colorado
Brooklyn and Dictator, soon to sail for Cuban
waters.
The secretary of the interior has affirmed
the decision Of the commissioner of the gem
eral land office that no more than a quarter
section can be entered by one individual un-
der the act of March 3, 1873 to encourage the
growth of timber. The secretary also has af-
firmed the decision of Commissioner Drum.
mOnd requiring parties to pay fee of ten
dollars for an additional entry under the sol
diers' homestead act of March 3, 1873, and re-
quiring the parties making such additional en-
try to appear in person at the local Office and
make the necessary al plication and af1i-
davit.
Washington City bidders carried off the
majority of the contracts for furnishing the
national cemeteries with marble and granite
tombstones. The secretary of war however
gave one large contract to one of his towns
men of KeOkuk, Iowa. There has been very
active competition for this work, as the aggre-
gate sum of money is large, not less than
eight hundred thousand dollars, and the quar-
Tymen are generally idle and want the job
The prices Will range from two dollars and
forty-twO cents up to three dollars and ninety
five cents. While the award las been pend
ing the competitors have been so anxious to
display their specimens that the vicinitF of the
treasury building has suggested the idea that
no business is followed in Washington but
burying the dead.
-SpeculatiOns as to the temper of congress
upon the Cuban question are freely made. It
is thought that the house of representatives
may be disposed to push the administration to
extremity with Spain, but that the senate Will
be more moderate. Such leading senators as
Morton, Sherman, Schurz and Summer are GER
tainIy anxious to have the difficulty adjusted
without war and have 50 declared themselves.
Mr. Sherman prOnounces the VirginiUs cruise
a flibustering expedition, which does not de-
serve encouragement, and makes the point
that the country ID IN no condition to bear the
expense of a war. Messrs. Conklng, Freling-
huysen Edmunds and other administration
senators are also expected to act with the
above-named sustaining the administration
upon the question if it shall pursue pacific
course with Spain.
"A letter from J. C. Harris, one of the Vir-
ginius victims has been received, dated Kings
ton Jamaica, Oct. %. After stating the expe-
dition would leave the night of that day. he
said the prospects for success were good, and
probably before the letter reached its destina-
ton there would be fighting in Cuba. Much,
he adds, depends upon the sUcc5ss of this ex-
peditiOn and combinations abroad, We take
only three hundred men from this port. but we
viii be Joined by two other parties, and 1 am
confident of success. The writer says the
boat was in debt that much money had to be
collected. and Gen. Verona collected it. The
writer Of the letter is Maj. J. G. Harris, of
Louisa county, Va. He had spent several
years on the western plains and in the mining
regions of the Pacific slope, and was ever
actuated by restless spirit of adventure
Preparations have been quietly going on
under direction of the secretary of war, plac-
ing our arsenals in condition to supply the
wants Of the army in the field in case of war,
and looking to the condition of the armament
of our Notifications for successful defense of
our harbors against hostile attack by iron
clads The ordnance department OF the army
is at this moment in the most active prepara-
tions for state of war, and is ready to sup
ply an army with entir9 equipments Of war
material, Including the most approved breech-
loading arms, and field and siege batteries of
artillery with every kind Of ammunition. The
telegraph has been vigorously used, urging
forwar every preparation. The ordnance Of
ficers are fully alive to the gravity of the oc-
casion and to the necessity for ample prepara-
tions to meet all demands, should war result
from our present complications. While, from
the nature of the case the navy have to take
the initiative, the war department Is fully
alive to the crisis in quiet preparation for the