New-York tribune., 1874-08-03
WASHINGTON.
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.
THE TAX-PAYERS' ASSOCIATION AND THE
DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS.

capacity OF agent at recent meeting OF taxpayers,
however, it decided to cooperate with the new
Commission, and resolution adopted pledging
them the undivided support of the TaxPayers' Asso-
cation The resolution forwarded 10 the Commis-
soners, which elected the following reply
OFFICE OF THE CoMMssIoNRRs OF THE DISTRICT OF
COLUMBIA, WAsHINGIoN, Aug. /, 1874
JOHN f. HANNA. esq, Secretary. DC.
DEAR SIR We have the honor to acknowledge the re-
ceipt of your communication OF the SOth umo cover
ing resolutions Of the TaXPayers' Association,
expressive of confidence IN our administration OF the
thanks Association 1t will be very gratifying TO
know at the close of our administration that we
fare of the District, and we Will be happy to acknow
edge the vane OF your support as wen as tS Oh ~,
other good citizens OF The District In the discharge o
''' w. DEyyIsoS, HESRY + BLOW ]. H. KETcHAM,
Commissioners District vi Columbia
CENTENNIAL PROSPECTS.
Since the official pertaining TO the Centennial
Exposition has transferred from the Department
OF state TO the Department Of Interior the
spondence has largely increased. All communications
TO and from foreign governments 60 through the Depart
ment of State Recently about 10000 copies OF the re-
vsed regulations of the Commission have been sent TO
ministers and consuls for general distribution THESE
regulations have been printed in four languages-En
gls, French, Spanish, and German Not quite mouth
has eaped since Secretary OF State, in accordance
with the Joint resolution Of Congress- and at the request
OF the Secretary of the Interior sent circular TO the
d ferent foreign governments extending cordial ln-
vtaOn to take part in the Expositon and, therefore,
sufficient time has not passed for responses Unohclal
information, however shows that much interest in the
Exposition Is manfested abroad, which insures ample
contributions from all parts of the world, including
China and Japan the Latter contemp ating a special
commission In response TO many inquiries the corte-
spOudents have been informed that the transp0rtaon
receiving unpackug ana arranging OF the products ior
exhibition viii be at the expense of the exhibitor Tue
Swedish society for the promotion OF the production o
iron has appropriated $1,000 crowns III order to nave
fine display OF that metal. The Society appropriated
only 10000 crowns for the late Vienna Exposition.
THE LAW FOR THE SALE OF LANDS IN KANSAS.
Just prior to adjournment, Congress passed law for
the sale Of the lands OF the tribe of Indians in
Kansas which will enable persons of limited means TO
establish themselves in that State The law gives 10
every bona fde settler heretofore reported sncb on
any OF the trust lands of these Indians the privilege OF
making payment of the appraised value Of their lands at
focal land office Topeka IN six xannuainstaments,
the first payable Jan. l. 1875 and the remaining Install
ments be paid annually with per cent interest. Pro-
vision made in second section of the act that the
remainder of the trust lands and the undsposed portion
Of the diminished shall be subject to entry at
Topeka in tracts not exceeding GC acres by actual set
tiers OnefOnrth Of the appraised value thereon 10 be
paid az the time OF entry ana the remainder III thfee
annual instaments with six per cent interest All the
lands taken within twelve months TO be sold at
their appraised value. Rules and regulations for the
disposition Of these lands amounting to 25,7H acres
VIII soon be issued by the Commissioner OF the General
Land Office.
LIBEL SUITS BROUGHT UNDER THE POLAND
LAW.
II the Police Court in tins city, under the Poland BILL
has jurisdiction actions for criminal libel, two
Will soon come before IT, Last night James ii. Plat
member Of Congress from Virginia district, caused the
arrest OF Of the reporters Of Sunday paper charg
ing with be for having in two instances written
and caused to be published words TO the effect that he
he reporer was posse sion of facts concerning ar
Platt, which, If true. would send him to the peniten-
tiary Bail furnished in the sum OF 5000, aud the
defendant released until tomorrow A. Grant
OF the menOrahss who took active part in the Dis
trct Of Columbia investigation, will ask presentment
tomorrow from the Grand Jury for the basis OF in
dctment against the local editors OF The Daily Chronicle
city, He alleges that matters pertaining to his
private affairs were printed as part OF the proceedings
OF meeting OF property-holders, and that words
put in his mouth TO which he never gave utterance He
proposes also take civil action against the prOpr
etOrs laying damage at $4,000.
THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT SUBSCRIPTIONS.
Letters forwarded yesterday by the Secretary of
the Washington Monument Society TO all the banks in
New-YOrk City and Brooklyn, asking for contengent
subscriptions toward hecompletion Of that structure.
The National Banks in Connecticut Maryland and Virgin
had previously been addressed and have already begun
70 send forwardher contingent contributions Favorable
responses constantly being received from the vari
secret bodies all OF which take deep interest the
OF this final effort TO have the flushed
by voluntary contributions OF the American people, and
thereby preserve its National character. What the
society most want now general recognition OF their
effort in the form OF prompt subscriptions They do
ask for large contributions from any, but something
from all will be gateialy received, aud will render the
completion of the monument certain.
AE HNP2PgLAR PROVISION IN THE ARMY BILL
In the Army Appropriation BIT PASSED at tue late ses
sion Of Congress it wds enacted that
None of the money hereby appropriated shall De used
ia the purchase OF hats uniform caps forage caps, uni
form coats. uniform Jackets, flannel sack coats, and un
lined cnats, which articles the QIarermaster's Depart
ment shall issue from the supply now on hand, known
as the Old pattern, and none OF the articles above
enumerated shall be purchased until those now on hand
are exhausted.
Capt, Henry W. ClossOn, commanding at Savannah
IN letter to the General requests that
none OF the forage caps OF the old pattern be issued
his command, az the will not consent to them
prefer 10 purchase others of respectable ap
pearance, from their own resources.
THE BOILER INVESTIGATIONS.
The Board Of Steamboat Inspectors expect resume
in September at Sandy HOOK their experiments 10
the of boiler explosions. and aferward Pitts
burgh. They have ample means, Congress having ap.
proprated 100000 for this purpose The results thus
far have been satisfactory many old theories having
been shown to be fallacous 1t has been proved by x
pertinent that thicker iron on the inside than on the
outside makes safe high pressure boiler This had for
years peeh mater Of discussion Oh the Western waters
THE CALL FOR FIvE-TWENTY ROSD3
1t was thought strange that Ia the call for Five.
twenty bonds the Secretary Of the Treasury did not
call In the amount absolutely subscribed OF the new five
per cents. THIS Is explained by Assistant Secretary
Conant who states that the Treasury Department could
not handle than the called for az one tirse
AS the bonds called 10 shall have been Cancelled
another call viii be made IL Is not the Intention of the
Department the new five per cents faster than
The fINetwebtles coDe in Tor cancellation.
WASHINGTON NOTES.
wAsfls6Tos, Aug a. 1874
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