, 1878-02-16
GENERAL NEWS.

GENERAL NEWS.
BALTIMORE, Feb, 1O.-Most Rev. J.
Gibbons. who succeeded the late James
Roosevelt Bailey in the arch episcopal
sea of Baltimore, was invested with the
pallium at the Roman Catholic cathe-
dral to- day. A large number Of bish>
ops and clergy of the church from all
parts of the United States were in at
tendance. The ceremonies were of a
very impressive character.
ST. LOUIS, Feb. TO- Life sized pic
lures of the pope draped in mourning
and surmounted by the papal arms.
were displayed from the affairs of most
of the Catholic churches to-day, and
eulogiums pronounced at the morning
masses. The chief exercises will take
place Tuesday. By an arrangement by
Archbishop Kendrick applying TO tie
entire arch diocese, high masses for the
repose of the dead will be celebrated
that day in every church, with pontifcal
high mass at ST. Johns in this city,
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10.-Ratification
of the treaty of friendship and COM
merce between the United States and
Samoa Will be exchanged tomorrow by
Secretary Evarts and Mr.. Mamea. Sa-
noan ambassador. The latter, with his
counsel and adviser, Mr.. Colmesnil,
will leave here for Samoa within few
days. They will be conveyed thither
from San Francisco in a vessel of the
North Pacific squadron. As by the
treaty the harbor of Pago is ceded to
the United States for naval depot and
coaling station, a survey of the harbor
and adjoining waters will soon be made.
This harbor has already been pronounc-
ed by Commodore Wilkes to beithe best
in the South Pacific ocean. The gov-
ernment of the Hawaiian Islands and
that of the United States are the only
governments that have SO far recogniz-
ed Samoa as an Independent nation,
but it is presumed that other govern>
ments will follow the example. The
present revenues of Samoa are about
$40, year, but with (for the first
time) tariff law, it is supposed the
revenue will be increased to $400, 900.
The United States are exempted from
such duties. The Samoan Islands are
in direct line from San Francisco to the
Australian coast, and the Pacific Mail
steamers pass within sight of them. 1t
is probable that contracts will be made
for conveyance of mails to and from
Samoa.
WASHINGTON, Feb. .9.-Sseretary Schurz
has affirmed the decision OF the general
land Office in the matter of the survey
Of Juraupa rancho, comprising $4,000
acres of land in San Barnardino coun-
ty-confrmed to Abel Stearns. This
decision approves the recommendation
made by the surveyor-general last Oc>
tober for erection uf southern and
eastern boundaries.
Appeal has been taken from the de-
cision of Commissioner Williamson COM
cerning the survey of rancho Huasns.
including some 21.00O acres in San Luis
Obispo, and all papers were yesterday
transmitted to the secretary of the in-
terror.
The secretary of the interior has de-
clined to disturb his decision of Octo>
ber 18th in the case Of NJ. c. Streeter
vs. Missouri. Kansas and Texas Rail-
road Company. The review was sought
by the company on the ground that the
land involved bad been patented to the
company and that in consequence there
of the claim of Streeter was not con.
frmed by the act of April 81, 1876
The secretary, however, declares the
statute mandatory and requires that
patents shall issue in all cases coming
within its provisions. This establishes
the principle that the law is RETROSPECT
tive in its provisions applying to cases
adjudicated as we'll as those requiring
original action. The act above refers
ed to confirms the homestead and pres
emption entries on land within railroad
limits made prior to receipt by the dis
trict officers of the department letter
Withdrawing the lands, and also cons
firms entries based upon their entry
which were valid, and subsistipg at the
receipt of such letter of withdrawal
This secures many entries made after
the definite locations of railroads but
prior to withrawals, and in this respect
changes materially the practice of the
department as the grants have been
heretofore held to be effective from the
dates of location evidenced by filing
and acceptance Of maps of survey, etc..
in the department.
1.-THE tariff and tax contests are certain
20 occupy much time in both branches
of congress. and if, in addition to all
these topics the house investigating
mill gets to work. as it probably will at
an early day, there will be little pros