New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-11-21
CURRENT TOPICS AT The CAPITAL.
OBJECTIONS 10 TIE METRIC system.

WAsHISGTON, Tuesday, NOV. 20, 1877.
Some time ago the House of Representatives,
passed resolution calling upon the heads Of Depart
mcnts to report what objections il any, there to
making obligatory, all Government transactions the
metucal system Of weights and measures, the use Of
which has been authorized by Act OF Congress Two re-
plies have been received That from the Postmaster
General says the only objections to making the
system obligatory throughout the postal service two
one based expense incident to the change OF sys-
tens and other based apprehension that the
practical workings OF system will fail TO give sat
i.facton owing to the lack of knowledge
and experience by great many postrnasters,
especially ct the small postohices and by the
public ut large. The POstmaster-General says
II Congress decide to the metric system IN the
he made 10 supply an the pOsolces with suitable scales
aud balances, and that after the supply snail nave Deei
be allowed before requiring their obligatory use.
Twelve months would be ample tlnc 10 sup
uv the offices, eighteen months afier sucn
appropriation available the new system could 80 INTO
operation. The Secretary OF me navy avs; ~
measures ODg atOry in all Governments TRANSACTIONS the
Navy Department percelyes no Objection 10 IT, except
I'M so far as IL regards The sOundngs given on charts II
II were applied to these it would probably involve
total loss OF al charts and chrtpacs now IN use, aug
be prcindcca to the exchange OF charts with England
PROPOSED EDUCATIONAL FUND.
A bill was introduced in the Senate to-day,
nv Mr. uoar d" 10 esabllsh educational mnd, aud to
appy the proceeds of public lands 70 the education Of
the people" 1t provides that the net proceeds OF the
public lands the net proceeds OF patents ana all sums
repaid the United States by railroad corpora
either as principal interest any loans OF money
r credit or bonds loaned TO them or Issued for their use
ar Guaranteed for tn by the United states. shall be
t onart for tho education Of the people. At the close
~ each fiscal year the Secretary OF the Interior shall
ascertain the total receipts from the sale OF other dspOS
,in NJ the public lands and also ascertaRn like man
nor the f proceeds Of all receipts Tor patents after the
tho Par ii.
hereupon to certify to the Secretary OF the treasury me
,uonut OF said receipts, deducug such expenditures
Upon receipt Of such certcae, the secretary OF the
Ifcas,Irv shall add thereto all amounts repaid to the
United States within the year in cash by railroad corpOr
atIon n, interest and shall cause one-tl OF SAID aggre
tc t be invested bonds OF the United states, bearing
Interest al four per cent aunun, when amount so III
vcsfrd shall constitute perpetual Ilnd III the treasury
In ne known ns the National Education fund
KELLOGG TO KNOW N A FEW DAYS.
The Senate Committee on Privileges and
Elections at their meeting this afternoon generally
agreed TO take no testimony in the Spohord-k el-
og case but to admit evidence the louisiana lnves
cation reports Of both Houses OF Congress Republ-
can member Of the committee SAID they WOuIu pioDapy
ron eh sue definite conclusion In the case WI hn te next
low Iavs They viii meet again tomorrow, Immediately
~ OF tine senate.