The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-11-08

POSED investigation the committee adjourned.
The postponement of action today was owing
to the absence OF Messrs. Hoar and Hill, 80
getber with the fact that the vacancy on the
Committee, caused by the death of Senator
Morton, is not yet filled.
Meeting of III ouse G ON mittees.
The House committee on foreign affairs to-
day heard Mr.. Hennng on the subject of
American representation at the Paris exhibit
ton. No action was taken.
The session OF the committee on appropria-
tions was devoted to the navy deficiency and
the estimates of fourth auditor Tabor, and sew
eral OF his assistants were questioned by the
committee concerning the manner in which
the transfer of funds from one bureau to an
other of the navy department was effected
hours of Labor in the Navy Yards.
The Secretary of the Navy in reply to a re-
cent resolution of the House says: In his desire
private ship yards, all laborers before employed
were notified they would not be required to
work over eight hours day, but would be per-
mitted to work ten if they preferred and paid
according to orders fixed for each number of
hours. Such is the rule in all yards. There has
been no difficulty in finding all the men requir-
ed on these conditions, and scarcely day pass
es. but Others expresspa desire toldo so.
Report Of the Commissioiier of the Land
Office.
The annual report of the Commissioner of
the Land Office says the sales of public lands
for cash were about 100000 acres in excess of
the previous fiscal year. while the number en-
tered under the homestead and timber culture
laws was 785, 123 acres less. There were certi-
fed for railroad purposes 700.791 acres, de-
crease of 300,905. There were 14,O13 acres en-
tered under the provisions of the mining laws
and IL, IA acres were patented. The total dis
posals of public lands under the existing laws
were 1892, 452 acres less by 1880 1874 acres
than i'm 1876 to June Both. Public surveys
have been extended over 713, 572, 737 acres. in
Guiding 10 847, 082 acres the past year, leaving
the total of unsurveyed lands of 1,1O1 1877, 1888
acres. 1t is recommended that there be cou-
soidation of all the offices of the surveyor gen.
eral into one, to be located in Washington; also
the abolition of the contrast system and the
appointment of q surveyor general of the
Un tied States. who shall be authorized to ap-
poiut as many assistants as required to per-
sonally make the surveys as fast as deemed
necessary.
The Deficiency Bill.
The deficiency bill introduced BY Mr.. Blount
today approprates So, 250, 664. &c. The bill au-
thorIzes the Secretary of the Interior Depart
ment to rent any fre-proof building for the
purpose OF his department at rent not exceed
ing 5000 per month, until repairs and restora-
lions in the Interior Department shall have
been made.
The Capitol Removal Nonsense.
The House Committee on the District of Co.
lumbia today voted unanimously to ask to be
discharged from the consideration of the Joint
resolution OF the Missouri legislature relating
to the removal of the United States capitol
The committee thought there was no necessity
of such legislation,
Report Of the Supervising Architect.
The annual report of the Supervising Arcbi-
-tect of the Treasury says;
owing to the deOreciation of real estate the
sales OF government property recommp nded in
my last annual report will be deferred tire
news the recommendation that a suitable
building be erected for the accom- modgtion of
the bureau OF engraving and printing. The
granite contracts, known as the Is per cent.
contracts, have been carefully considered and
notifications made fer the government
buildings at Philadelphia, Cincinnati and
St Luis. The changes will result
in large saving to the government
The only remaining contracts of this nature are
those for the stone work for the custom house.
at Hartford. Conn, and exclusion of the post
office and sub-treasury at Boston, and the ad-
visibility OF changes 10 these should be con-
sdered when further appropriations ara made
for these buildings. Among the many balances
credited to these appropriations Sept 3Oth in
the treasury for different works under the d.
riction of the Office, are the following: Boston
sub-treasury extension 1922 80; Cincinnati
custom house $685. 1856; Covington court house
$144 $780, 05; Fall River Mass, custom house
$40 1876 81; Hartford custom house $2,73S 48;
Rockland, Me-, custom house, post office, etc.
1868 30 Estimates for the ensuing year will be
included in the report of the Secretary of the
Treasury.