Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1878-07-17
Washington.

Washington.
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.
To Hon. X. ". Thompson, Secretary of
the Navy:
SIR:-By 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 Ia
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 proportionate 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, l
am of the opinion that the circular Of
the navy department Of March 81, 1873,
is in accordance with section 1878, re-
vised statutes, which embodies what is
commonly known rs the eight hour
law. Very Respectfully,
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 postotfice depart
ment amounted to S,5lS rs against
1S,lS1,676 the preceding year. Issues
OF newspaper stamps increased from
1000, Cos to 1893, S45; issues ofstamped
envelopes and wrappers from 4,6l6,9 800
to 1906, 774; and issues of postal cards
from about 10000, 600 to 200, O63 900.
Total amount of increase in issues for
sale to the public was 1875, 1913 or n
per cent. rs compared with the pre-
vious year.
SHERMAN AND RESUMPTION.
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 l, 1879, but
his acts are strangely Mt variance with
his professions. He has within few
days obtained the figures from this de-
partment and from the sub-treasuries,
showing the amount OF gold on 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 ro-
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.
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 well as 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 publ, opinion.
CONDITION OF THE TREASURY.
The following statement, showing the
actual condition of the treasury on the
Both of last month, was prepared to-day.
On June 80, 1873, there were in the
treasury rs follows:
Gold cOin Observation-Disclosures. 1851 3&3, 9l4
Standard dollars .......... 4. 1897, 948
Gold bullion. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. 6,O89. 430
Silver bullion MAN.. .............. 1891, 201
Total. $3.50, 2s22, 5O2
Fund for the redemption OF United
States notes, say IS per cent Of -. 346, SIS, 0l6
Outstanding in legal-tenders ..... l21, 900, 900
ton fund. .......',.e.... $50, ss2, 5o2
or which there Will be re-
quired for the following
payments:
Unmatured calls of $40
bonds. ................ spa, $50, 600
Coin certificates outstand-
ing on that date. {44.-
$4,000, less <l9,469,3lD
redeemed and in the
Traasurv oo9 $40