New-York tribune., 1877-07-09
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.

CURRENT IOIlCS Al LIE NAIllhL
WASHINGTON, July S.-The amount OF mail
undor contract on the 1st OF July was Slo'-
75I 639 % per annum distributed geographically as
follows: New England. Sl.1l3,33I 50; Middle States
Qncluding rginia and West virginia., S3,23OsOi II !;
Southern States 81. 493 42 Western States Gnclud
ing Missouri So 5GGj7s ~ Pacific States and the Ter
ritories So 43l 90. The classification the service
in the different sections is as follows:
New Observation-Disclosures, S77O,9jO 63; star service
(celerty certainly and security S2lO516 81 steam
boats So man mesgsr S 69 H.92IV , SEA 99s 49,
steamboats, 4sol5 So mail messenger "a S2lgsi9 ~ o9 ar
sl,126.92i Oi; steamboat s366,l2S 40; mail messen
e Wcs,cn s}apSsRairoad. s4sI359e 50; star 23l
s63 40 steamboat, S59,465 90; mail messenger
Pac,iic states and Terrores-Raroad si2513l 80 ;
star, 81 800 46; steamboat sl43,7oO3| inal mes
senger, S37,ll9 80.
California and Texas have much the largest amount or
star service that in the former state amounting oS57
GIG a. and in the latter S33s SOC 93 The whole service
in California costs 1874 OIL 73and in Texas $5S714i OIL
On the of September there Will be added to the cost
OF the service 1894 36 92 for the recent contracts under
the last advertisement for proposals for temporary ser
vice. and a further increase during the year will be
brought anout by the completion oil new raroauS anu
the extension OF old ones.
APPLICATIONS FOR CONSULsIIIPS.
There ale now upwards of 1000 applica-
tons ON file in tbe Department Of state for appointments
s Consul although at present there is not one saiared
very unhealthy port on the coast OF Africa, and II
has already been announced that it is the intention Of the
Department to h all vacancies which may occur in do
sirabe saared consuates by promotions or appoint
for proved merit and experience IN the consular
service In this connection, it may be Of interest to
many persons to earn that according 10 general RUE
applicable to all executive departments, letters OF appi-
cation and recommendations ior once thouth htd Ior
being that TO do would require very large IN
crease in the clerical force
A BRITISH EXPLORATION OF THE WEST.
Dr. j. ID. Hooker, President of the Royal
Society Of London Director OF the Kew Botanical Gar
dcns &c. and Lieutenant srackey of the Royal
Bengal Engineers and member Of the Council for India,
have made ARRANGEMENTS through friends Washington
and for tour OF scientific research this
Sumi,. i Colorado Utah. and California, in company
with Dr. Asa Gray of Cambridge, the distinguished
botanst, Prof Joseph Seidy OF Philadelphia, the
eminent comparative anatomist. The result Of their
discoveries will be communicated in the form
OF reports to our Government. Dr. Hooker's position
as President Of the Royal Society has for num-
Der Of years made hun tne chief adviser OF the
Crown in all scientific matters pertaining 10 the
Government, and Oh the Queens last birthday he
was kDgnted in consideration Ol mis- eminent services
He is also corresponding member Of the Institute OF
France Gen. srache, has been Tor many years prom
nent member Of the Royal Geographical Society, and Is
now President of the Geographical Section Of the British
Association for the Advancement Of Science. He IS the
author OF several books Of travel and has worldwide
reputation ; geOgTapher. Mrs. Hooker and Mrs.
Strachey will accompany their husbands. The former
ihe widow of SIR VIM Joriin formerly Governor OF
Bengal and at later period Governor OF JaIiaca. Inc
ihc txpectaton oil proceeding directly 10 Boston. The
results their tour wil it is believed. be OF great value.
They Will he attained entirely at the private expense or
tho gentlemen who compose the eXledliOn
SECRETARY sHERMANs FINANCIAL POLICY
1t is reported this evening on what seems to
be good authority that previous to the departure of Sec
rotary Sherman his summer vacation he inmated to
a gentleman who conversed with him the sulJer that
he might obliged cOncede something to the strong
antrcontraction sentiment which exists in the West
among large class Of Republicans It is known that
from the very Secretary Sherman has dsclaimed
any intention of contracting the currency al so rapid
rate as TO interfere the least degree with the business
int rests of the country While his withdrawal of green
hacks will probably he rapid as he believes consistent
with the safety of business WIZ not De seneu nor
carried TO such extent TO cause any strnGehcy III
the none, market It is probable that the reiieton OF
this has been made tho base Tor me report tna
ne has modified his views "a 10 IN" eAPedthcy oI rtlt
ing legal tenders rapidly as ne has thus iar done
THE PRINTING OF STAMPS AND BILLS.
The official estimate of the amount to be
saved on the present rates paid for printing Internal
Revenue stamps by having the printing done by the
Government shows that it will amount to about 100000
Previous loii departure the Secretary OF the Treasury
directed Superintendent of the Bureau To get all the
machinery and material III perfect readiness 10 begin
printing the stamps the first of October The Bureau
is now engraving new plates for Internal Revenue
stamps which will be ready for in ample time. Ii Is
ascrrtaned that the present contract expires the
Secretary will invite for printing United
states and National bank notes, ana II the prices fur
nsed the bank note companies are as low as Tor the
same class work in ue Bureau of Engraving and
Printing the work will be given to the successful BIDDER
among the bank companies At present the Colilin
ban Bank Mole Company is the only private corporation
engaged printing the Government National bank
notes The contract applies TO the - legal tender ma
tiOnal bank notes.
WASHINGTON NOTES.
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing has