National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-08-21
DEPARTMENT NEWS.
oF THE SIGNAL SER
VICE FIELD

VICE FIELD.
General Myer, chief Of the signal service bu-
reau, has perfected arrangements with the differ
ent European meteoroIogists for grand lnterna-
tional system OF reroEts the dement, Of !, 6nl ei
part OF the world. Since the first OF J anuary IN
AL the principal European nations observations
have been taken each morning at the same mo-
ment Of time that kas been selected for the regu-
lar signal stations in this country and these are
forwarded by mall, semi-monthly, TO the signal
ONCE IN Washington, for discussion IN connection
with the regular reports Of this country. Nearly
200 foreign stations are now engaged in this Work,
and sutheient data will soon be collected for the
deduction Of general laws In relation 70 the move
ments Of the atmosphere that will mark new
era in meteorology. These reports, consolidated
with these made BY the signal ONCE, viii be
issued daily in printed form for the use Of all
teorologists. The large corps Of observers which
has worked 50 efaoiently for the Smithsonian In
stltution under the supervision Of Prof Henry
was transferred to the Signal office on January /.
and since that date the series Of observations
over 400 in number, has been used in connection
NJ ePorts from the reg
recognizing the proprety Of concentrating all OH
eial meteorological work In the country In single
once on the lst Of July Of this year directed that
in future the reports made ct me mIlitary posts
In the United States by members OF the medical
eorpa should Be forwarded to the Signal once.
This class CT observations being made by trained
men at points scattered over the whole Territory
Of the United States cannot fail to be 3 valuable
auxiliary to the regular system Of the Signal
ONCE. In addition to the receipt and disoussion
Of this large amount Of data, additional labor has
been thrown upon the Signal once IN the con
struetion and management Of telegraph lines in
Texas, Arizona. California and on the seabJard
Of the Atlantic States.
REYERSIoN OF LAND GRANTS.
The Attorney General has recently given an
opinion, in response to application Of the Sec
rotary Of the Interior, Of much importance to the
land interests Of the country. The General Land
granted to railroads In aid OF their construction,
conditioned upon the completion OF the road
within the time specified In the act, did not
legally revert to the national domain upon the
failure to comply with the condition without Con
greSslOnal legislation. It is difficult TO see how
such ruling could have obtained, as the patents
conveying title do not issue until the conditions
are all fulfilled. And the title never having /
passed away from the Government, there could /
be no reyerSlon about It, really.
But, at all events, Judge Williams has decided /
10 the effect that what are known IN law as the L
conditions subsequent in all the acts Of Congress
land grants not to be construed &C.
,ording to the principles or the common law. as
held by the late Commissioner, Sos. Wilson, butac-
,oEding TO the manifest intent ofCOngress which is
10 be gathered from all legislation on the general
subject; also, that by the conditions OF land |
grants which provide that unsold lands shall re- |
Iert 10 the government within certain period,
n the event Of the non-completIon Of the road al
he expiration Of that term the lands absolutely
eyert TO the national domain, and that no subse-
uch reTerslon. A recent examination Of the
ecords OF the General Land Once shows that
he number Of acres affected by this decision is
,lO3,7s4. These acres the Administration will
peedIly declare restored to the national domafn
md open for settlement.
This determination Of the matter will be Q very
'reat disappointment TO q certain class OF specI-
ators who have been buying up Q lot Of Old
harters, IN the hope Of reTlYing the expired
rants through the action Of Congress. The
uling OF the General Land Once was the only
ne BY which they were able to withhold the
ands from market and settlement after the fall
re Of the company to complete the road, and
ia ~ ia I
pinion seems to have the merit Of equity, as well
5 justIeeS
NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.
The United States steamer Lancaster is safe at
10, and the Wachusetts was ct SANTANA August
The Swatara was at Bahia, Brazil, on the 18th
uly, having sailed from New York Juna T. Mr.
'ouis Seibohm. photographer OF her party, was
lnded at Bahia, being unable to proceed on &C
punt Of physical weakness. Lieutenant WIN. b,
ohm W. Beane to the North Atlantic station, |
er steamer 18th Instant. Detaehed-NlIdshIpuap | !
!. A. Nicholson, from the Roanoke, and ordered
lstanti BoatsUain VIM. Jones, from the receiT. |
ag ship Sabine and ordered 70 the OssIpee Der !
LeRmer 29sh instant. II
-, - POSTAL AFFAIRS.
The bids for stamped envelopes have all been
elected BY the Postmaster General. New pro-
os1ls will be advertised for to be opened on the
9Th Of September next. II Is believed that bel.
n forms can then DO obtained. A new dsgign
y registered package envelope has been ,
topted by the Post OhicS Department The new |
cyelope Is the same size as the present. but Is |
ID edged and lettered, and has peculiar fasten-
~ Intended TO prevent the package IRON being
pened by Unauthorized persons Without detse- | :
on. Proposals for one years supply 1900 OOo} ,
these envelopes will bsopened on the 18th inst.
APPOINTMENTS AND DIsMIsSALs.
James Crawford, superintendent Of the mint at :
arson City, Nevada; Calvert S. Ford, Inspector
gas and meters for the District Of Columbia I
OIL h. Q. Whitley, chlsi Of the secret service OF
ie Solicitors Office, and some OF his ofhcers are
bout being dismissed. There are several applI-
.nts Of chief under the new organization.
FINANCIAL AFFAIRS.
The receipts Of national currency for rsdemp-
On yesterday were ga, 100, making an aggrt- ?
Ite for the month Of 1851, $50. The receipts OF
ternal revenue reported were S25l, 1881 A i
II has been made upon the banks for one and a |
laTter millions to make good the redemption