The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-12-31
Washington News and Gossip.
THE SUPREME COURT.


The Supreme Court is hopelessly behind-hand
with its business. Seven hundred cases are
now awaiting trial, and the numberi is constant
" increasing despite the utmost exertions of
the bench. Some measures TO relieve this pres
sure is necessary, and it is probable that an Ell
fort will be made to obtain it during the pres
ent session of Congress One method proposed
is to add two Judges to the bench, and another
TO reduce the number OF new gases thu .n r2
civil suits where the consideration is less than
S500O 1t is said that the latter plan has the
approval of the Chief Justice, and that it will
gradually reduce the business SO as to leave
only abont q years work ahead. condition
which it is desirable to maintain permanent
ly.
THE DISTRICT BONDS.
A ring has been formed to get Cor gress TO
raise the interest on the 3.65 bonds authorized,
last June, to be paid contractors and1others to
per cent. 1t is claimed that Congress had no
right to pay a contractor less than the face of
his Indebtedness, but the commissioners do not
force any contractor to take his pay in these
bonds He can wait and bring suit against
the District if he likes A large share OF the
bonds have been purchased at 65 to 6S by spec
uators, and if Congress makes the interest
payable in coin and at per cent. they will
make no less than 80 per cent profit. They
are making great exertions to carry their point,
but, in the opinion of some of the best Repub-
licans in Congress, they won't succeed.
REDUCTION OF EXPENSES.
The reduction of the cost of collecting Gus
toms is receiving great deal of attention in
the Treasury Department and by the commit
tees Of Congress to whom the subject belongs.
Investigation has shown that the expenditures
at the custom houses, particularly at the larger
ports, can be very considerably reduced without
injury to the service. Under the system that
has been for long time in operation the Gus
toms officers have not been checked in expen-
diture by any pressure from the Treasury, and
when they have been disposed to resist local
appeal for employment they have had to resist
alone aud meet political opposition thereby
without gaining any support. The labor-roil,
which is paid by an indefinite appropriation, IS
not subject to any limitation or examination.
Besides the accounts are not rendered until the
expenditures have been incurred, and there IS
nothing left to the department but to have them
stated and paid. One check upon all expendi-
lures at the custom houses which may be I'M
posed by Congress, is to cause the estimate to
be made in advance in specific items, for winch
speclfic appropriations will be made. Col
lectors could estimate very nearly the expenses
of their offices, if it is desirable or necessary TO
give more dlScretlOn III reSaru W tnese eApehur
lures, than if specific appropriations were made.
1t may be required Of collectors to submit est-
mates each month for the expenditures OF the
succeeding month to the Secretary OF the Treas
ury, whose approval in advance would be NEG
essary to make the expenditures valid. This
would give an opportunity for the department
to control expenses, which it cannot well do
when accounts are only rendered after engage
ments have been made. This, or any other
method which promises to enforce increased
economy in the collection of customs will be
favorably considered IN Congress-. Meantime
it is understood the department will voluntarily
90 as far as possible in the same direction.