The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-07-14
From the Maine State Press of July 10, 1876.
History Of Seven Days.
The News for the week ending Wednesday
Might, July 18TH.
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL,

Secretary of the Treasury and entered upon the
discharge of his duties last Saturday. He is
the second man from Maine who ever occupied
the position. Gov. Connor has appointed ex-
Speaker Blaine to fill the vacan cy and he has
accepted.
The clause of the post-office appropriation
bill relating to postage on third class matter
provides:
Transient newspapers and magaz ines, reg
ular publications designed primari ly for adver
Using purposes or for free circulation, or for
circulation at nominal rates, and all printed
matter of the third class except unsealed circu-
lars shall be admitted to and be transmitted in
the mails at the rate OF ore cent for every two
ounces or fractional part thereof, and one cent
for each additional two ounces or fractional
part thereof, and tie sender of any article of
the third class of mail matter may write his or
her name or address thereon or on the outside
thereof with the word 'from" above or pre-
ceding the same. or may write briefly or print
on any package the number and name of the
articles enclosed. Publishers of newspapers
and periodicals may print on the wrappers of
newspapers or magazines sent from the office
of publication to regular subscribers the time
to which such subscription therefor has been
paid, and addresses upon postal cards and un-
sealed circulars may be either written, printed
or affixed thereto at the option of the sender"
The bill appropriates in the aggregate for
transportation of the mails SIS, 1897 1856. That
embraces the star routes and the steamboat
lines at $6,737, S57. and the railroad routes at
SO, 100000, against the estimates of the depart
ment of a little more than $17 SOC, 900, reduc-
ton in the item of transportation of the mails
of 81 ,662, 179. There is nothing in the bill
which affects fast mails, such being by special
arrangement between the Postmaster General
and the railroads
The Geneva award bill as passed by the
House makes it the duty of the court of Ala
bama claims commissioners to receive and ex-
anime and enter judgment upon two classes of
claims which are to be filed within six months
and the court is, continued in existence till the
I'd of July, 1867. The first class is to consist
of claims directly resulting from damage done
on the high seas by confederate cruisers during
the late rebellion, including vessels and car
goes, taken or attacked on the high seas or pur-
sued therefrom, although destroyed within
four miles of the shore, except as provided for
in the existing laws. The second class is to
consist of claims for payment of premiums
for war risks after the sailing of any confed-
crate cruiser. In examining the second class
of claims the court is to deduct any
sums in any way received by or paid to
claimant, and diminish the amount paid for
any such premium; so that the only actual loss
of the claimant shall be allowed. Judgments
allowed in the first class of claims are to be
paid before those entered in the second class.
If there be not money enough to pay the whole
of the first class, then the judgment in that
class shall be paid proportionately, and SO also
as to judgments in the second class.
Proctor Knots Committee had Elk Secretary
Btistow before it the other day, but he refused
to testify respecting his official communica.
tiops with the President on the ground that
such relations were of character that no
committee could constitutionally inquire into
their nature. He said he would 60 to Jail be-
fore he would communicate such matters.
Proctor Knott or "Knocked to Pot is thinking
the matter over.
The investigation of Secretary Robson has
proved fruitless, yet the Confederates keep it
up.
The Little Rock Railroad investigation has
been put over until December.
Postmaster General Jewell, at the request of
the President, has rendered his resignation, and
James N. Tyner of Indiana has has been ap-
pointed. Mr.. Tyner has has had long expert
ence in the postal department The cause as
signed for the Presidents action is that Gov.
Jewell has taken an unfriendly attitude to-
ward him and has made appointments which
did not meet the approval of Gen. Grant.
Commissioner Pratt has resigned the office of
Commissioner of Internal Revenue.
The weather of late has been unprecedently
hot in Washington. Monday evening the mer-
curry indicated o96 above zero IN the hall of the
House and several members were Frustrated
by the heat. One member, Mr.. Parsons of Ky.
has died, and number are seriously i'll.
Mr.. Randall, the leader of the Confederate
House, is doing his utmost to prevent the con-
ference committees on the various appropria-
ton bills to agree. The leading Democratic
members are said to be impatient at his action,
but as the head of the Appropriation Commit
tee, he has the control of the matter The
Senate has shown a disposition to yield
every possible point to the House. In these
contests Senator Morrill, has displayed great
deal of sagacity and ability. 1t is quite posi-
BILE that the bills will all be arranged and
passed the present week.
Crop reports from all parts of the country
are very encouraging.
The following are among the awards made
to-day by the Alabama claims commission
John Bates, Boston, $11O94 40; Chas. A. Stone,
Gardiner, Me-, 5000; Chas A. Wing, Bruns-
wick, Me-, $47S s.; Gilman B. Tibbets, Bristol,
Me. $500; Lemers M. Pickett, Portland, Me-,
1892 70: VIM. II. and Stl.man H. Wallace,
Millbridge, Me-, $51S-interest al per cent
from date of loss.
The committee Of conference on the so-called
silver bill, held long meeting Tuesday
and practically agreed upon report. The re-
port will recommend the passage of a m easure
substantially the same as the Randall bill pro-
viding for the purchase of silver bullion to the
amount Of $20,000.000 with any money in the
treasury and its coinage and issue in the shape
of subsiding coin, providing that no more than
81, 100000 worth shall be purchased at any one
time.
CONGRESS.
Wednesday, july SIN the Senate a resolu-
ton directing the committee Of both houses of
Congress to institute the necessary provisions
for the completion of the Washington monu-
ment was unanimously adopted. The bill to
encourage telegraphic communication between
America and Asia was amended and passed.
the conference committees report on the post
Office appropriation bill was, after discussion,
agreed to, and the consideration of the resoll-
ton to pay Pinchback the compensation and
mileage of a Senator was resumed, and after
some spirited discussion, adopted. In the
House the report of the conference committee
on the bill for the requirement. of Pennsylvania
avenue, was adopted The Senate amendment
to the bill providing penalty for mailing OBJ
jectionable literature was concurred in, a reso-
luton calling for information as to the invest
ment of the Indian trust fund since 1S41 was
adopted, and the Geneva award bill taken up.
The conference report on the post Office appro
priation bill was agreed to, and the House pro-
ceeded to vote on the Geneva award bill and its
amendments, the substitute to cover into the
Treasury all undistributed balances being re-
jectej, yeas 50, nays 100.
Thursday, July Gin the Senate Chinese
immigration was discussed at length, and
committee of investigation was authorized
The Belknap case was then resumed Mr.
Lynde making the opening argument for the
prosecution, and six witnesses were examined
In the House the bill appropriating the bal
ance of the Geneva award was passed, 10S to
81. The conference committee on the legisla-