The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-01-01
Washington News and Gossip.
POSTAL AFFAIRS.

POSTAL AFFAIRS.
The investigation of the postal deficiencies,
by the senate committee, on post-offices and
post roads, develops the fact that in Massachus'
etts the receipts exceeded the expenditures by
S616778.74 The receipts were also greater
than the expenditures in New York by 81, 1911
46S 9S; in Pennsylvania by $431, 62O.62; in Con-
necticut BY S1S9, 81 80; in Rhode Island by
Sill 1865 70; in New jersey by $47,573 %; and
in New Hampshire by SAL, 439 40. In all the
other states the expenditures exceeded the re-
CENTS and in some the deficiencies are very
large, those In Texas and California being
1874, 1854 Oh and $504, l7S 76. respectively; In
Missouri, Utah, New Mexico, Illinois, Nebras-
ka Ohia, Kansas and Minnesota, the dehcien-
cies range between $3.50 900 and 100000. The
aggregate of deficiencies is $7,3O6,845 59, and
oil the excess in Massachusetts and the other
profitable states. $3.50, 557 80.
BUSINESS BEFORE CONGRESS.
There will be a great pressure of business at
the reassembing Of Congress, especially in the
house, where the finance, cyil-rights and ap-
preparation bill will be pushed forward vigor-
ously. 1t is likely that an attempt will be
made this session to obviate any embarrass
ment which may arise in the next Congress
from the power now possessed by either branch
to object to the reception of the electoral vote
from any state. If nothing is done in this di-
rection a little bad blood between the Republic
can senate and Democratic house OF the forty
fourth Congress, during the count of the cleo
torial vote in 1877, might result in serious con-
sequences.
THE SPECIE PAYMENTS BILL.
In the sew eral votes by letters and yeas and
nays, growing out of the effort to take up the
specie payments bill, solid Republican vote
was cast This is indicative of the prevalence
II nf ~, ;fofb ar nd
concession which secured the passage of the
bill in the Senate. There can be no question
that the bill will become law, and that it Will
commit the Republican party, as an organlza-
ton, to the policy of specie resumption. This
is political situation not expected two weeks
ago. and least of all by the Democrats. They
are all struck with surprise at the success of
this bill, and their opposition for the most part
seems to have no deeper reason than that 1t is
q Republican measure. They have dim hope
that it may prove unpopular, and produce bad
results and they expect if they record them
selves against it, they may profit by any posi-
bic evil to come cut of its passage. They do
not expect to defeat the bill, but will throw the
whole responsibility on the Republicans, who
are glad TO take it, ..,.- q.
SENATOR sCHURz eel
The Washington special of the Springfield
Republican says: eff there was ever any
chance that Senator Schurz would receive the
offer of foreign mission from the administra-
ton, it is gone, for while many of the ablest
Republicans here would like to make him some
PREPARATION for the i'll treatment of past years,
vet the strict party men say that he would
gladly accept continuance in office from the
Missouri Democrats, and, while that is true, he
does not deserve any honors from the admins
tration. The President is understood to side
with Conkling, Chandler, Hamlin and others,
who think that no attempt should be made to
concliate him"
s' eritr'i GEN. sCHENCK. --
The rumors connecting Gen. Schenck with
the Pacific Maili corruption, which originated
in New York, has no more foundation than
the floating gossip which duplicates dozen
other members of the Forty-frst Congress.
The lobbyists in this vicinity laugh at the idea
that any money was paid to first-class man
like Schenck. If any members were bought,
it is believed, here, that they were few in num-
bers and weak in character.
SOUTHERN DEMOCRAT.
Mr.. Stephens, ex-Vice-P President of the
Southern Confederacy, called on the President
Wednesday, and was honored by Gen. Grants
coming down to the lower floor of the Presi-
DENTAL Mansion. The interview was cordial,
and the two distinguished gentlemen separated,
the best of friends. Mr.. Stephens justified the
President in his course in Louisiana, to the
vexation of many of his Democratic asso-
ciateS.