The Portland daily press., 1877-03-23

From the Maine State Press of March IL, 1877.
History Of Seven Days.
The News for the week ending "Wednesday
Might, March 21st.
NATIONAL CAPITAL,

NATIONAL CAPITAL.
Grave fears have been entertained that the
illness of Senator Lamar would result fatally,
but he is now much better and able to
sit up.
The requirements prescribed by Congress
having been compiled with, namely, the mon
ument ground being turned over to the gov
eminent, and the foundation being found suffi-
Gent for the proposed structure, the appro-
priation of 100000 is now available to COM
plete the Washington national monument.
Minister Gushing is expected to arrive home
in few weeks from Madrid. His successor is
unknown.
Secretary MeCrary has issued a circular to
the effect that hereafter removals will be made
in the War department for cause only, and pIo-
motions will be ordered upon the sole ground
of merit No political test is required beyond
an earnest support of the constitution and its
amendments and proper respect for the rights
of citizens guaranteed thereby. Industry and
faithfulness in the discharge of duty, good
moral character and strictly temperate habits
will be required
Mr.. Evarts finds among the unfinished bust
ness in the portfolio of state. the settlement of
the fisheries question as provided for by the
treaty of Washington nearly six years since. 1t
is true that A mercan fishermen can take fish
of every kind in British Provincial waters and
that British subjects can fish on the Eastern
coasts and shores of the United States until 1881
but it is also true that the United States has
promised to pay for this such sum as COM
missioners may award. 1t was duly provided
in the treaty that this commission should meet
at Halifax at the earliest convenient period af-
ter they should be respectively named. The
British commission and agent were named long
ago, and last year it was semi-oficially an.
nounced that Hon. Ensign H. Kellogg of Pitts
field was to be commissioner on the part of the
United States; but for some reasons he has
never been commissioned, and the Provincial
government officials fatter themselves that
they are rolling up good debt for the United
States to pay at some future day for the use of
fishing grounds. 1t really looks as though we
were evading what the treaty of Washington
pledges US to do.
Nathan Appleton has returned from Phila-
delphia where he has been in consultation with
the late Centennial authorities, and presented
to Secretary Evarts sketch of the organiza-
ton for the proposed American exhibit at the
Paris exhibition, together with an estimate
that the necessary expenses will be 100000,
though he thinks 100000 should be appropri-
ated to make the exhibition creditable to the
country.
Thomas higgins, the lunatic who testified a
year ago before the committee investigating
the affairs of the government asylum, that the
spirit of Gen. Grant appeared at his bedside.
has commenced a suit for 100000 damages
against the ex-President, charging that he was
imprisoned in Jail for twenty-four hours, con-
fined in the lunatic asylum for eight months
and compelled to sail for Europe because he
threatened to knock Grants head off If he ap-
peared again at his bedside.
Secretary Schurz has notified all the heads of
bureaus of the Interior Department that dur
ing his administration of its affairs there will
be no removals of clerks except "for cause"
aud no promotions except ''for merit" 1t can
be stated that there are at present absolutely
no vacancies of any kind to be filled.
The Commissioner of Internal Revenue has
ordered the appointment of three additional
revenue officers in each Southern district pre-
liminary to the withdrawal of the military, who
have been aiding in suppressing Illicit distDler-
les. The greater portion of the troops now
serving at tee South will be sent to the Indian
country to effectually subdue the hostile Sioux.
The Supreme Court in a decision takes the
ground chat state has the right to impose con-
ditions to the transaction of business within its
territory by an insurance company chartered
by another state, if they are not in conflict
with the constitution or laws of the United
STAGES. 1t may entirely exclude such compa-
MES from its territory, or having given a Ii
cense, may revoke it for good cause, or without
cause.
Postmaster General Key. in reply to ques-
ton as to what his policy will be in regard to
Southern appointments, says he will endeavor
to appoint Republicans, all other things being
equal, "but should it be impossible to find a
Republican satisfactory to large majority of
the people whose business is directly affected
by the appointment, or in case of a contest for
any Office, 1 shall not hesitate to step aside and
select person who, in my judgment, will give
satisfaction to the business interests of the COM
munity. shall always be glad to receive the
advice of Senators and Representatives in Con-
gress touching matters of this kind, but shall
not consider myself in any way bound to act
upon it,
The President has nominated and the Senate
confirmed Frederick W. Seward of New York
to be Assistant Secretary of State; j. N. Tyner
to be the first Assistant Postmaster General
and Thomas L. James for Postmaster at New
York.
The ISenats adjourned without electing a
president pro tempore as usual, to be prepared
for the contingency of the Vice President dying
during the recess. Senator Ferry, who was
last chosen for the position, has vacated it by
his absence from Washin gton, and even if he
had returned before the final adjournment,
new election would have been necessary to fill
it. Consequently, if President Hayes and Vice
President Wheeler should both die before Con-
gress is again convened, there would neither be
President pro tempore of the Senate or Speak
or of the House to succeed to the Presidency,
and THE office of the President would remain
for time absolutely vacant
The President, in conversation with some
Wisconsin gentlemen, who urged upon him the
appointment of Senator Howe as Justice of the
Supreme Court in Davis place, said he should
not make any appointment to the Ben oh at
present; that his time is so much occupied in
the consideration of great national matters that
he did not wish to choose Justice until he
had time to very thoroughly examine the quail.
fications of the respective candidates. One
thing he could say, that the matter of
geography would be an important element in
the decision. The advocates of Howe then
suggested that Howe comes from the same
geographical division as Senator Davis.
Prof. Henry and other scientists, aided by
the eloquence of the applicants handsome
wife. are urging the appointment of Prof Le-
compte at Philadelphia, as Commissioner of
Agriculture.
Miss Betty Van Lew "holds the FORT as
postmistress at Richmond, and may defeat the
numerous male applicants for her place.
CONGRESS.
The Senate adjourned sine die Saturday. 1t
did nothing the last few days but consider nom
nations made by the President.
POLITICAL.
No action is yet taken in regard to the remoy-
al of troops in South Carolina and Louisiana,
but the subject was the principal theme of dis
cussion at the cabinet meeting Tuesday