The Portland daily press., 1876-02-29
Total amount in treasury. go. ...$91 1887 !
The Government Humbusged.

The Government Humbusged.
A Washington special says that an investi-
CATION shows that the government has been an
nualy paying large sums for the use of an al
legged patent for signing papers and currency
which was entirely useless. The investigation
was made by a scientific commission last year,
and its report is to be given to congressional
Com mittee, which is examining into the action
of the bureau of engraving and printing.
Gen. Babcock Resumes His Duties mt the
White House.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 28.-Geu. Babcock and
Mr. Luckey resumed their respective duties at
the Executive Mansion this morning as usual.
Gen. Babcock says prior to his return here yes
terday he gave no iDtmation as to his future
course to any one. and had uttered no word to
justify the various contradictory reports and
speculations in the newspapers
The Chorpenning Claim.
The Court of Claims today rendered decis-
ion in regard to the famous Chorpenning claim
1t was conteDded that the reference of this
claim by Congress to the Postmaster General
and his decision that between $400,000 and
$500, 900 were due to the claimant constituted
an award binding on the government The
court now sustains demurrer to this assertion
and holds that the action above stated was not
binding upon the government. An appeal will
be taken to the Supreme Court.
Various Matters.
Bill reported favorably in the Senate today
March next at $25. 600.
Morrison's motion to adjourn yesterday was
made to prevent vote on Holman's motion for
the repeal of the resumption act. just before
the close of the roll call the motion was appar-
emily lost; but Foster of Ohio, Blaine and Hale
of Maine, and Townsend of Now YORK, an
nounced that their votes were in the afirma-
tive.
In the Supreme Court today it was decided
that the eastern terminus Of the Union Pacific
Railroad is at Council Bluffs on the Iowa shore
and that Omaha bridge is a part of the road
and must be operated in connection with the
whole line.
About 30 members of the Ohio Legislature,
accompanied by Speaker GiOsvenor, are on
visit to Washington. This morning they paid
their respects to the President.
Receipts internal revenue today 1851, 895;
customs $588,827.
The Secretary of the Treasury has directed
the retirement of $329,748 in United States
notes, that being 80 per cent of the new nation.
al bank currency issued this month. This will
leave outstanding legal tender circulation until
further orders $3.50, 943, 1872.
A motion was made in the Court of Claims
to enter judgment upon the Supreme Court
mandamas in case of Marshal G.. Roberts and
other trustees of the Sloo estate. The motion
WILL of course, be complied with, but it remains
for the lower court to formally compute and fix
the precise amount due under the Supreme
Courts decision. The amount according TO the
statutory requirements which the Supreme
Court decides must govern, is little more than
million dollars. The claim is for extra ocean
mail service performed 20 to % years ago be-
tween New York ard California.
DR.. Lndelman, 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, 600 per month, of which half will be in
gold, and the fact canpot but have an import
ant bearing on sold premium.