Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-01-28
WASHINGTON MATTERS.

The President does not recommend new
election in Louisiana, as has been stated out
calls the attention of Congress to the condition
of things in the State and the need OF action.
The Hon. r. b. Elliott of South Carolina,
whose speech in the House on the civil rights
bill has given him reputation for ability and
eloquence, is now spoken of for Governor OF
South Carolina. The South Carolina Legis-
lature has appointed committee to wait on
Mr. Elliott and tender their congratulations
on his effort 10 behalf Of the civil rights Of
the colored race.
The Committee On Ways and Means have
as yet agreed upon no financial plan beyond
the bill reported They new expect to be
able to report some definite bill in few days.
They have under consideration several inn
portant suggestions from different members
of the committee which have not yet been
mentioned in the House, but which are re-
ceived by the committee with much favor.
Although the nature of this plan is not yet
disclosed, the public may rest assured that
the majority of the Committee on Ways and
Means will not recommend any plan tending
in any way to increase the volume OF the
currency beyond the limit of four hundred
millions. The members OF this committee
are of the opinion that it is quite possible that
the majority of the House may be unable to
agree upon any imitation scheme as they are
so much divided among themselves that hsr.
e nj m ihlp
The Commissioner Of Internal Revenue
from the receipts Of the month thus far est-
mates that the receipts Of his bureau for
January will be nine and 4 half millions OF
dollars. This shows a very considerable in
crease in the Internal revenue over last
month. The increase in the Customs revenue
is not so large. This branch Of the revenue,
indeed, was the last to feel the influence of
the panic. The Customs receipts last month
we're ten millions of dollars in gold. This
month it is expected that they will reach.
twelve millions of dollars, which it is hoped
the receipts for February will much exceed.
The Sub. Committee of the Committee on
Ways and Means have commenced their in
vestigations into the customs service with
view of reducing the expense Of collecting
the customs revenue. They have already
given especial attention to the customs col
lection districts in New England. 1t has been
suggested to the Committee that the nineteen
collection districts in Maine may be reduced
to three, without injury to the customs reve-
Aue. The Sub Commute are convinced that
there is more clerical force in these districts
than is strictly required, but are also of the
opinion that these Custom Houses perform
very essantial service in the prevention of
smuggling, and in furnishing revenue
patrol.
The Senate Committee on Foreign Rela-
tons has a troublesome job on hand in the
examination of the scandals concerning the
Vienna Exposition. General Van Buren,,
who was So summarily deposed as Commits
sioner, was sppeased by the appointment of
Consul at Kanagawa, Japan. When the APP
pointment came before the Senate for con-
irmation, however, it was opposed by the
friends of John Jay, Minister at Vienna,
whose official reports caused General Van
Buren's degradation. They say that if the
action of General Van Buren, as Commits
sioner is indicated by his confirmation as
Consul at Kanagaws, Mr.. Jay will be virtually
condemned, and should resign at once.