The Portland daily press., 1874-05-06
WASHINGTON.


WASHINGTON, May 5.-The House Commit
tee on Appropriations to-day continued the con,
sideration of the sundry civil bill. The agreed
to largely reduce the light house appropriation
end liked the fee of pension agents for admin
istering oaths at 20 cents instead of 80.
Laborers Asking for their Pay.
Four or five hundred laborers assembled in
the rotunda of the capitol this afternoon 10
have a conference with Mr.. Chapman, Delegate
of the District of Columbia, relative to money
owing them by several contractors un1er the
Board of Public Works. They want Congress
10 pass bill making an appropriation to pay
them and withhold the amount from sums due
by the government to the authorities.
District Investigation.
In the District Investigation to-day, Chitten-
den and Kirkland were shown to have attemp-
ted to purchase the Hardwood estate, now the
Soldiers Home, from Mr.. Corcoran, for 1928,
600, their agent being the Rev. Calvin Brown.
Some testimony was given as to the organlZa-
tion OF the Metropolis Paving Company, IN
which what were called the dead heads" were
shook out and which did $4,000 worth OF
II IL per cent Kirkland was recalled but had
nothing more to say and was discharged.
The Committee will examine into the safe
burglary in the District Attorneys office re-
ferred to them by the sHouse of Representa-
tives.
Treasury balances.
The following are the Treasury balances to-
day:-Currency, 81. $685. 56; special deposit OF
legal tenders for redemption of certificates OF
deposit, S52 6l5, O00 coin, $50, 712, 40, including
coin certificates 1886, 1872 800; outstanding legal
tenders, 1882, 100000.
The New Finance Measure.
The Senate Finance Committee to day took
further action on the House currency bill, and
by majority vote agreed to recommend the
incorporation in it of the following provisions:
The maximum greenback circulation to be
$282, 600, 900 and new rational bank notes to he
issued to the amount of $l63, 100000, pro-
vided that for each million of such new notes
ssued there shall be 100000 of greenbacks re-
tired until the total greenback circulation shall
have been reduced to $00,000.000. The Com
NIT tee voted to fix January 1, 877. as the date
at which specie payment should be resumed
but did not reach a conclusion as to what sys
tenn should be employed for that purpose,
whether of interchangeable bonds or by means
OF any OF the other plans proposed.
Conformation.
The Senate to-day confirmed the nomination
of Samuel Burdett of Missouri, as Com mission
er of the general land office, to take effect June
first, vice Willis DrummoDd, resigned. The
Senate discussed -the nomination of Gen. Nc
Cook to be Governor of Colorado. for nearly two
hours, but took no vote.
General Butler HI.
General Butler, who had severe bilious at
tack Yesterday IS still confined to his bed
though his symptoms are favorable to recovery.
A RumOr.
A rumor has been freely circulated tonight
that the position of Secretary of the Treasury
has been rendered to Hon. e. B. Washburne,
Minister to France, and his reply is now
awaited.
Various Matters.
The Postoffice Department during April is
sued $500. 142 worth of stamps more than in
April, 1873.
An official examination shows that General
Clark Postmaster at Galveston, instead of be-
ing defauter is creditor to the government
over $4,000.
The Council Of Gen. Howard to-day summed
up the case, reviewing the history and opera
tions of the Freedmen's Bureau and claiming
that his client was not guilty of irregularities.