The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-06-23
FROM THE NATIONAL CAPITA1
THE MAILS BY BALLOON.

partment that he has inverted all appa-
ratus which can be used In directing the
passage of air balloons so that they could
attain speed Of ten German miles an
hour. He states that it would be of vast
benefit to the Department, and urges the
Postmaster General to enter into con-
tract with him whereby he may have one
such apparatus constructed in New York
under his supervision by one of our en-
gineeYs. and a trial trip to be made be-
tween New York and San Francisco.
ALL THE WAY FROM URAGUAY.
WASHINGTON, June 23.-After CONSUL
tation with the authorities OF the De-
partment OF State the Secretary of the
the port of Charleston, g.. G., to allow
the political prisoners brought to that
port from Uruguay on the bark Ping to
land at Charleston, but the vessel hay-
ing arrived without the proper papers,
and for which she has incurred severe
penalties, will be held for the further ac-
tion of the customs officers.
THE LOST sARANAC.
The Navy Department has no addi-
tional advices other than those already
published concerning the loss of the Sar-
anac. 10 relieve the probable distress
of the crew, the U. S. steamer Benecia
has been ordered from San Francisco to
Vancouver's Island to bring them to
the former station. No attempt will be
made on the part Of the Government to
raise the vessel or recover the arma-
ment, on account of the great depth at
which she sunk, and the danger which
would attend such an experiment.
An experienced naval officer, on duty
In a prominent position in the Naval De-
partment, says the pass in which the
vessel was lost is one of the most danger
GUS in Johnson's strait; that the gen
eral rocks in the pass, in conjunction
with the current OF water, form almost a
whirlpool. The only safe time to pass
through is at the head of backwater.
His opinion is that the commanding off,
Ger attempted passage at some other
stage OF tide, and although he gave the
rock wide berth, he was drawn upon it
by the eddies.
This IL. the second vessel of the United
States Navy which has been lost in this
locality. The first, the Suwana, being
sunk in the same straits July 8, 1858, but
on rock not indicated ON the marine
chart. The rock ON which the Saranac
struck, however, Is plainly indicated by
the chart as in a dangerous position. 1t
Is remarkable coincidence that Lieu.
tenant Commander Sanders, Executive
Officer Of the Saranac, was on board of
the Suwana when she went down.
CROP REPORTS.
The following synopsis Of the condi-
tion of certain crops has been received
from j. r.. Dodge, SLatistician of the De-
partment OF Agriculture. The condition
of winter wheat generally is still re-
ported comparatively low. a marked
Improvement is observed since April
"a In nfrIt Al
prospects of the West, especially Kan
sas. The State averages OF condition OF
winter wheat in the district beyond the
Alleghenes are as follows: West Vir-
ginia, sixty; Kentucky, eighty-one; Ohio,
b7; Michigan, eighty; Indiana, seventy
one; Illinois, siXty-four; Missouri, fifty
five; Kansas, ninety-seven.
The fly and cbinch bug have wrought
some injury in Western States, and the
drought has been locally injurious. The
condition OF spring wheat is much better
though not generally full average. The
State averages are Illinois 81, Wiscon-
81, Kansas 81, Nebraska 105. The pres
ent ndications OF the condition, both of
winter and spring wheat, point to four
ffths OF a crop. Rye promises better
lthan wheat, yet it will not mature full
crop. 1t is best in Northern New Eng
Land and IN the Gulf States. There is a
small increase in the breadth of oats
caused in part by the abandonment of
winter wheat areas.
e The condition is generally good, with
almost full average in cases OF light
] Iroducts, but better in central districts,
on the Atlantic coast, or in California.
Spring barleyhas less than it's usual area
in the Middle States, but its average has
tcS
The promise of crop is moderately
good, though the condition is somewhat
below an average in most States. The
area in clover has increased in New
and still more in the Southern
Atlantic States, but has declined in the
Western States. The average influences
Of winter and early spring wheat has de-
preciated its condition, especially in
the northern latitddes.
Spring pasture is superior in New
Hampshire, Vermont, Florida, Mississ-
1ppi, Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mich
igan, Kansas and Oregon, and nearly an |
been destructive Of fruit in the large |
areas which may be considered second |
Or third class as fruit regions. In the |
districts depended on for the supplies Of |
great markets the fruit prospects are |
from fair to good in the East, with less |
favorable allowing in Western States. In |
Delaware an average is reported. In |
Maryland nearly full crop is expected. |
In New Jersey reduced yield, as also |
in w estern New York, and to q great ex- |
tent in Michigan and other Western fruit
districts.
THE ONE PER CENT. LEVY
on the salaries of the clerks in the Inte- |
rior Department., In aid of the forthcom-
Ing election in Ohio, does not meet with |
general favor. Many decline to con- /
tribute to the extent OF one per cent,
and some decline to give anything at all.
Those who take the latter course call |
The collectors attention to the Presi- |
GENTS order several years since forbid
ding the exaction OF political tribute |
from Government employees.
BILL KING.
In the Criminal Court, yesterday. I
Judge Macarthur, presiding, the case
Of w. S. King, charged with perjury In |
with the Pacific Mail Sub
Bidy, was called, and Mr.. Harrington
Tor him. He asked that an
early day be fixed for the trial.
Judge Fisher said 1t would be unsafe |
for the Government to 60 to trial with
put the presence Of Mr.. Irwin, who was
now absent IRON the country. He read
4 latter from Gnlnual nnuu Piatt to fha