The Portland daily press., 1876-03-03
From the Maine State Press of March 2, 1876.
History Of Seven Days.
The News for the week ending Wednesday
--,- Night. March 4.
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.

d.
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
The House Committee on Foreign Affairs is
investigating the rumors effecting Minister
Schenck at the court of ST. James in connec.
ton with the Emma mine company which
proved so bad. The testimony thus far ap-
pears that the parties owning the mine went to
England with the certificate of Prof. Silliman
of Yale College setting forth the great value of
the same and that upon these representations
Gen. Scheck purchased 500 shares Of the Com
pany's stock for which he did not pay but
agreed to pay eco per share. The owners,
however, inteuded to give it to him for the use
of his name. 1t further appears that the Presi-
dent called his attention to the rumor and ex-
pressed regret that Gen. Schenck should so un-
wisely allow the use of his name to aid specu-
lators. Prot Silliman's report had placed the
mine among the great mines of the world, and
stated that ore to the value of three and half
million has already been removed from it.
The Democratic caucus committee are un-
able to agree upon financial policy. The re-
ports will be made, the committee being nearly
evenly divided.
The receipts of internal revenue for the first
six months of the fiscal year amounted to $751;
602,7 41, against $54, 1852. $3.50 for toe same time
the previous year. OF the receipts, 1884,
967 were from spirits; $19,695, Al from tobacco;
$4,794, 035 from fermented liquors; $2,O93, 573
from BANKS and bankers; $4,237,677 from adj
hesive stamps; $137, 1858 from penalties; and
$685., 752 from articles formerly taxed but now
exempt. The increase in spirits is $3,348, 691.
The Secretary of the Treasury has directed
the retirement of $329,748 in United States
notes, that being so per cent. of the new ma
tional bank currency issued this month. This
will leave outstanding legal tender circulation
until further orders 1870, 943, 1892.
DR.. Linderman, director of the mint, states
that it is his opinion that the production of
gold and silver after the first of May will be
$1,000, 900 per month, of which half will be in
gold, and the fact cannot but have an import
ant bearing on gold premium.
There is not particle of truth in the state
ments published heretofore that there is quar-
rel in Gen. Grants cabinet The utmost har-
mony prevails.
- The Senate Post Office Committee in their
investigations find that second class mail mat
ter, which includes only newspapers and mag
azines to regular subscribers, is now carried at
an annual loss of nearly $S.OOO,OOO beyond the
postage, and that this sum equals the entire de-
ficiency of the department. The committee
have considered the best means of fixing the
rates on third class matter, and next Thursday
will take up the rates on second class. 1t is
believed that if the rates on newspapers can
be raised SO as to yield only 100000 year
that the postage on letters can be reduced to
two cents.
The Republican Senators had caucus Friday
on the bill 10 restore to the pension rolls the
names of all persons dropped for participation
in the rebellion. The caucus decided that as
the bill provides for the payment of arrearages
of pensions during the past fourteen or fifteen
years, which are estimated to amount to sew
eral millions Of dollars, the bill ought not to
be passed in the present condition of the
treasury. This action will secure its defeat in
the Senate.
Senator Howe has introduced bill which
would, it is believed, prevent some of the prac-
tices in the marine service upon the men before
the mast. The bill provides that where sea.
man shall be discharged by consular officer
because of cruel treatment, it shall be the duty
of the discharging officer to enter npon the
crew list the name of the officer whose treat
ment caused the discharge, and the amount
paid for extra wages and expenses in conse-
quence Of such discharge, which sum may be
deducted from wages earned by the officer so
found guilty.
BABcoCK ACQUITTED.
The trial of Gen. Babcock charged with
completely in the whiskey frauds, terminated
In his triumphant acquittal. The jury were
absent only about two hours The verdict
seems to he satisfactory to everybody but
Democrats who have been deprived of the
opportunity which verdict of. guilty would
have afforded them to make political capital.
Even they however admit the weakness of the
government case and the impartiality of the
jury. They blame Babcock for not explaining
+ the mysterious kilograms, though they well
know that defendant in the United States
courts is not allowed to testify in his own
behalf. The General has resumed his duties
at the White House, and there are no ndica-
tions of those cabinet changes which enemies
of the administration loudly proclaimed would
follow verdict OF not guilty.
SOTNOaroos
Thursday, Feb. A-In the Senate the bill to
10 restore pensions to soldiers of the war of 1912
who participated in the rebellion, was consid-
cred. The bill to confer exclusive jurisdiction
over Indian reservations was taken up and af-
ter debate referred to the Indian Affairs Com
mittee. In the House little business was DONE
The death of Representative Starkweather was
announced.
Friday Feb. 25-In the Senate, Mr.. Conkling
presented the protest of the New York Legisla-
ture against the Southern Pacific Railroad SUBJ
sidy. The finance bill recommended by the
Secretary of the Treasury, providing that the
Al per cent. bonds should run 80 years instead
of 10, and increases the amount from $500, OOO,-
600 to $500,000.000 was passed by a vote of 81
to 8. In the House, Mr.. Swami of Md. re.
ported from the Committee on Foreign affairs,
the correspondence relative to the Emma mine
and the connection of Minister Schenck with
the same. 1t was referred back.
Saturday Feb. 26-Senate not in session. In
the House several speeches were made, two or
more Southern Democrats speaking against re-
sumption in 1879.
Monday Feb. 2S-In the Senate, Mr.. Wright
the President at $25,000. The West Point ap.
preparation bill from the House was amended
by increasing the amount $46, ia making to
tai of $3O5, 947 and passed. The Foreign At
fairs Committee was given power to send for
persons and papers respecting the Emma mine
matter. Mr.. Williams (Dem) tried, under sus-
pension of the rules to get bill passed repeal
ing the act for a resunption of specie pay
ments but failed AS Mr.. Holman (Dem) was
pushing measure in the same direction, Mr..
Morrison, the Democratic leader made mo-
ton to adjourn to prevent that action which
was carried yeas 11S nays ia, the Republicans
generally voting with the majority.
Tuesday, Feb. 29.-In the Senate a bill for
the relief of Daniel Stickney who had about
5000 stolen from his Office while Postmaster at
Presque Isle, was passed. MT. Morton made a
personal explanation based upon the testimony
as presented by MIR. Lyon before committee