The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1877-05-31
WASHINGTON NOTES.

An unusual case of forgery has occurred at
Washington. The President received what pur-
ported to be the resignation of Chief Justice
Lewis, of Washington Territory, and appointed
his successor. 1t now transpires that the letter
OF resignation was forgery, and the President
has recalled the appointment of Judge Lewis
successor. Lewis was made the victim of
similar forgery some years ago, while Chief
Justice of Idaho Territory. President Grant
nominated his successor, and he was confirmed
by the Senate before the fraud was discovered.
The President has appointed Frank Gilbert,
one of the editors Of the Chicago Journal AS
sistant Treasurer at Chicago.
The Internal Revenue Bureau is considering
the ACCESSIBILITY of cheapening the tax on whis-
ky, substituting weight for bulk measurements.
Such change it is thought would secure a
more thorough collection of the revedue from
this source.
The President has issued an executive order
reserving the Pagosa hot springs and one
square mile OF land surrounding them in Colo
RADIO as permanent public property.
order that any one may send in fractional cur
rency to the department and receive silver. ALI
designated repositories among the banks have
been requested toredeem fractional currency in
silver. If less sums than $500 are sent to Wash
ington the sender must pay the express, but for
that sum or above it the Government pays the
charges
Hon. George H. Boxer, Minister to Russia,
has resigned.
1t is announced that the President has decided
to recall all the foreign Ministers. The theory
of the administration is that these officials sus-
tain relations to the President similar to those
of Cabinet ministers, that the civil-service rules
do not apply to them, and that they ought to
change with the administration.
Statistics prepared by the Treasury Depart
ment show that in the ten months ending with
April the exports from the United States ex-
ceeded the foreign goods imported in value by
more than hundred and fifty million dollars.
A general closing of national armories and
workshops will take place on the 30th Of June,
the close Of the fiscal year, Congress having re-
fused to appropriate money for their mainten-
ance.
The commission appointed to i'm estigate the
affairs Of the New York Custom House has
made partial report to the Secretary of the
Treasury. They recommend reduction of 20
per cent. of the working force of the Office.
The practice of paying salaries to deputies and
assistants who perform no adequate service is
also marked down for discontnua1ce, while
the commission is severe in its condemnation of
the system of political appointments, charac-
terizing it as demoraizing in it's influence on
all connected with the customs service, and cal
culated to encourage and perpetuate officialigno-
rance ineficiency and corruption" The Presi-
dent heartily approves the conclusion Of the
commission and especially directs that here
after the question of politics shall not govern
or affect appointments to subordinate positions
in the Custom Houses, and that the practice of
levying assessments for political purposes shall
be discontinued.
1t is reported that Attorney General Devens
is to be rendered the vacant seat on the Su-
preme bench.