New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-02-11
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.
A TREATY RATIFICATION TO-DAY.


The ratification of the treaty of friendship
and commerce between the United States ana Samoa VIII
he exchanged tomorrow by Secretary Evarts and
Mr.. Mamea, the Samoan Ambassador The latter. win
his counsel and adviser. Mr. Conesn Will leave mere
for Samoa within few days They will be conveyed
thither from san Francisco in vessel OF the North
Pacific Squadron As the treaty the haro0r OF Page
Pago is voluntarily oedcd TO the United States for
naval depot and coating station survey Of The harbor
and adjoining waters will soon be made I,s hagpPp
i've The hest In The south Pacific Tie Government
OF the Hawaiian Islands ana that Of the Unen snUs
are the only governments that have 80 FAR me
SamOans INDEPENDENT NaiiGu The United states -
exempted from duties. The Samoan lslahGs are IN ul
the Pacific Mail seamofs pass witin slght OF tnei. ~
Is probable that the contracts will be made Tor the CON
yeyancc OF mails ~ ana from Samoa.
NAVIGATION TO BRAZIL
John c. Hoppee, OF New York, appeared be-
fore the House Committee on Offices and Post Roads
Yesterday and urged the necessity OF aid IN establishing
two steamship lines, from New-Iork ana the other
from New-Orleans. to Brazil. Mr. Hoppe has just re-
turned from Western cities having urged the same views
before various Boards OF Trade and Chambers OF Com
merce. He gave Che committee much Information about
Brazil and its immense and detailed his eNpe
rence five years In the city OF RIO JaIeiFo where ne
was cnsn ged in the importation OF American nautac-
tnres The contemplated convention 10 be held III this
city on The 10Th inst. in and Of more perfect under
standing upon the subject OF an export trade 10 BRAZIL
promises 10 be large.
AwEEK or OPENING BIDS
The opening of proposals for the mail SER
vice west OF the Mississippi III eighteen States and Terri
tories has been completed at the Post once Depart
ment Dakota, Montana, Idaho Washington Territory
Oregon and California disposed OF in this respect
Yesterday. week has been occupied in this work ana
the number Of bids aggregated over $1,000 Next week
the work recording the proposals, embracing In each
case designation of the number al the bit the name
of the bidder ana the amount oftbe bid VIII be
begun After this step the proposals VIII so 10 the Cen
trai Office and the awards will he made,
AT WORK UPON THE TARIFF BILL
The Committee OF Ways and Means were in
session yesterday from halfpas 10 until O'Clock ana
passed upon Schedule OF the Tariff Bill. relating TO
cotton and cotton goods, and Schedule j.. relating 10
earths aud earthcnwarc No amendments were maze
except o verbal character The highest negative votes
were two. Mr.. wood. the chairman, anticipates mat
the hill will passed substantially as he prepared H.
A HUNDRED THOUSAND TEA-PLANTs.
General lie Due says that his idea of pro-
noting the cultivation Of native tea has been so well re-
ccyo that he receives at least GOO letters day making
nGurics IN regard IT, AMI asking for tea-rants Toe
Commissioner already has 100000 teFplants started
and demand for them VIII, he thlhks lar exceed INC
supply.