Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-07-17
W ashingtOn.
THE MEXICAN BORDER.

border troubles. He does give the in
formation that he asked for 10000
men to protect the border and follow
raiders into Mexico. This request was
not granted General Ord says that the
people of Texas are eager for a fight,
and that it is with difficulty that the
feeling has been depressed. He
thinks that when he returns and
ment does not intend to revoke the
present orders AS to pursuing the ma
RAIDERS into Mexico, that the Texas
people will be in for general rush
across the Rio Grande at the first case
of stealing.
INDIAN. CONTRACTS. t-i i
Washington advices say it appears
from an official statement furnished by
the Indian officers in reply to the criti-
cisms that have recently appeared on
the subject Of purchases of beef for
Red Clond and Spotted Tail, and
other Sioux agencies, that the
new contracts We're made
at exceptionally low rates, no bid so low
having been offered the preceding year,
and are clear saving to the govern
ment of $4,000 over the contracts Of
last year, even irrespective Of the stipu-
lations far more favorable to the gov
eminent so. ~
THE EIGHT HOUR LAW.
Washington advices of July 10th
give the following as the substance of
the opinion of the attorney-generalo on
the eight hour law:
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. I
WASHINGTON, Ju Sth.
To Hon. r. ". Thompson. Secretary Of
the Nary: -4 nIt III
SIR:-By a circular issued from the
navy department. under date of March
q, 1873, it is announced that the de-
partment will contract for labor of me-
chanics, foremen, leading men, and la
borers on basis of eight hours for a
days work, but that all workmen elect
ing to labor ten hours a day will re-
ceive proporticnate increase Of their
wages. The inquiry really suggest
ed by you is whether this
circular accords with the meaning and
intent of section 1878, revised statutes,
which declares that eight hours shall
constitute days work for all labOrers,
workmen and mechanics who may be
employed by or in behalf of the gov
eminent of the United States. In view
of the decision of the supreme court, [
am of the opinion that the circular of
the navy department Of March q, 1873,
is in accordance with section 1878, re-
yised statutes, which embOdies what is
commonly known as the eight hour
law Very Respectfully, q .
Your Obedlant Servant,
CHAs. DEvENs,
Attorney General.
POSTAL MATTERS.
During the twelve months ending
June 80, 1877, the issues of ordinary
postage stamps by the posteffice depart
ment amounted to 19,46S, SIS as against
1S,lS1.676 the preceding year. Issues
of newspaper stamps increased from
1,0OO,605 to 1908, $40; issues ofstamped
envelopes and wrappers from 4,616,922
to 4, 9O5, ia; and issues of postal cards
from about 170,O00,O0O to 200, O63, 900.
Total amount of increase in issues for
sale to the public was 1875, 1853 or "a
per cent. as compared with the pre-
yious year.
n 81 2 81
Advices from Washington under date
of July 9th state that the secretary Of
the treasury denies that it is his inten-
ton to force the resumption of specie
payments before the time prescribed
by, law, namely, January /, 1879, but
his acts are strangely at variance with
his professions. He has within a few
days obtained the figures from this de-
partm ent and from the sub treasures,
showing the amount OF gold Oh hand
on the claims against it, and the show
ing is so favorable that Mr.. Sherman
says he may resume specie payments
at any moment with gold. Mr. Sher-
man is careful not to say that he will
not resume before next January, but
the law does not prevent him from re-
Stunning specie payments before that
time, and his actions would seem to In
dictate that he will accept the implied
authority and anticipate or rather dis
count, any possible action of congress
IN December. .@EkE II
Secretary Sherman takes pains to
have it known that the condition of the
treasury Is such that were it not for a
technical difficulty resumption could
begin now as we'll DIS any time. Wheth
er Sherman's conclusions as to the
practicability of immediate resumption
are right or not, it almost seems as if
the treasury people and some members
of the administration has been giving
out feelers to test puoli; opinion.
CONDITION OF THE TREASURY. -
The following staten ent, showing the
actual condition of the treasury on the
3Oth of last month, was prepared to-day.
On June 80, 1873, there were in the
treasury as follows: ~
Gold coin Observation-Disclosures. S161 343, q
Standard dollars Standardization. 6,887, 94S
God bullion Observation-Disclosures. 6,099. 439
Silver bullion ...... ............... 1891, POI
Total. ................... $3.50, 2,2, SOP
Fund for the redemption of United
States notes, ~ 35 per cent off,. 346. GIG. b
Outstanding in legal-tenders III, DOC, 90
Coin in excess of Redemp-
ton fund. =. $50. r#s $50, 222, 5O2
OF which there will be re- III b r.