The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-03-14
WASHINGTON.
Compensation of pos,mas,ers

WASHINGTON, March Is Assistant Post
master General Marshall has addressed letter
to the Postmaster General on the subject of
compensation to Postmasters his plan being to
fix salaries on the basis of commissions, per-
eentsges on incomes ami box rent at the res
pective offices.
Pendleton's Examination Postponed.
The committee on expenditures in the war
department met at II o'clock. Mr.. Pendleton
was present, but as the books and papers OF
the accounting officer of the Kentucky Central
Railroad will not be brought to this city until
late tonight, and as the papers called tor from
the war department has not yet been furnis he'd
the examination of Pendleton was postponed
until tomorrow.
The Governments Display AT the Centen-
NAL.
The House Committee on Appropriations to
day heard Col. Lyford, Commissioner John
Eaton and Prof. Baird, representing the gov.
eminent board, charged with preparations for
the exhibits to be made by the several depart.
ments of the government at the Centennial. in
advocacy OF an additional appropriation of
100000 for this purpose, The board asked
about million of dollars last year, but Con.
gresss appropriated only 100000. They now
ask for the remainder of tina sum needed and
that with its aid the government exposition
nation, and of itself alone sufficient to make
the Centennial a success.
The Geneva Award.
The House Committee on Judiciary will 10.
morrow make report amendatory OF the act
for the distribution of the Geneva award. 1t
will be yecollected the former Congress prOvid-
ed for payment of actual losses, excluding in
surance companies, unless it was shown that
their losses by reason of the acts of cruisers
were greater than their gains from war prem.
iums The majority will report in favor of
distributing the amount which will remain OF
the award after paying the claims already adj
Indicated and now being adjudicated by the
Court OF Commissioners of Alabama Claims to
three classes, namely: Actual losses OF the
high seas by reason OF Confederate cruisers;
actual losses to those who paid war premiums;
and insurance companies as secondary losers on
the principle that although as whole they
realized profits their profits would have been
greater but for the destruction by cruisers of
the particular vessels they Insured. There
would, in case of The passage of the bill, be dis
tributed to the first class 81 800 000 to the Sec
ond $5,00O,00O; to the third 100000.
The minority of the committee agree with
Congress to distribute the entire amount, but
recommend that the balance of the award,
namely, So 100000, be covered into tho treasu-
~. It is understood that second minority re-
port will be submitted
Various Matters.
The Secretary of the Treasury informs the
House that there are no records in his depart
ments relating to the Babcock court of inquiry
Representative Fort introduced bill to day
providing that on and after July LIST, there shall
be levied and paid tag on all sales or contract
for sales, verbal or written of gold or silver bull
lion and coin at the rate of 1-20th of per cent
of the amount
The Secretary of the Treasury says an appro-
pIiation of 81 100000 will be necessary for extra
reuenue officers at Philadelphia in consequence
of the importation of goods for the Centennial.
The report that an arrangement has been
made by which the government is to purchase
the enrire bullion product of the consolidated
Virginia and California mines for a year for
use in the resumption of specie payments is
pronounced incorrect by the treasury depart
ment. although it is admitted that PROPOSE.
ton of this character has been received and is
under consideration.
Senate appropriation committee to day took
up the consular and diplomatic appropriation
bill but reached no conclusion concerning any
point of importance.