Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1878-09-25
WASHINGTON.
< FACT WORTH KNOWING.

OAitC0 OttSO OS1luS IuIOuSu udtlOn-
al banks Which are designated deposit
tories of the treasury,will do we'll to re-
member that if certificates of deposit
are issued in the name Of the sub
scribers and not in that of the bank the
subscribers, in the event of the
failure of the bank before
the bonds are received, will
have no claim on the government, and
will stand in the same relation towards
the bank as any other creditor. The
question has recently been raised, when
the authorities indicated that that
would be their ruling.
Statements have recently been
published to the effect that Mr..
Knox, comptroller of the currency
in his annual report will recommend
the abolition of the 10 per cent restric-
ton of the national banking act. These
statements are erroneous, the comp
troller having always been strenuously
opposed to that proposition. This
scheme is advocated for, the most part
by southern representatives, who de-
sire to restore the old state banks, and
to make wildcat currency possible.
| BIG CLAIM AGAINST PERU.
Early next session, says Washington
special of the 10Th, congress will be
asked to lend the power of the govern
ment to aid John G. Landreau, a citi-
zen of New Orleaps, to collect
claim against the government of
Peru involving $1OO,OOO,OOO. Years
ago the Peruvian government en-
acted a law giving to any individual
who should make discovery that
would increase the wealth of the coun-
try onc-third of all the value of such
discovery. Under this law Theophile
Landreau. a citizen of France, devoted
himself to exploring for new deposits of
guano for the purpose of gaining the
reward. After twelve years of con-
slant labor he succeeded in making
very valuable discoveries, covering de-
posts of guano from which the Peru
Wan government subsequently derived
a revenue amounting to about $780,
100000. With much difficulty Lam
dreau convinced the government that
his discoveries were actually new, and his
right to the reward was acknowledged;
but as the sum was greater than Peru
could pay, he entered into an agree
ment to release the government for
stipulated sum. Before he received his
reward revolution broke out and the
new administration repudiated the
claim. During Landreau's explora-
tons and while confident Of success
his means gave out and his
brother, John G. Landreau, of Louisi-
ana, advanced him the funds necessary
to carry out this scheme, on condition
that he should make over to him half
interest in his prospective reward This
was done, and thus John G. Landreau
became an equal partner with his
brother in the claim. About year
ago the claim was brought to the atten-
ton of the state department, but as it
was in the name of Theophile Landdreau
it was ruled that nothing could be done,
he not being citizen of the United
States. The parties intend to appeal to
congress in the name of John g. Lam
dreau, who is a citizen, having been ma
turalized by a court in New Orleans
many years ago.
SOUTHERN MAILS.
Advices from Washington of the
10Th inst. state that the postof-
fee department is taking measures TO
deliver mails to all quarantined cities
in the south, and where routes are cut
off by railroads ceasing to run, on &C
count of quarantine regulations or
otherwise. Postmasters are instructed
to try some other method to serve the
public by delivering the mails daily.
MRS. THOMPSON TO BE APPOINTED POST
MISTRESS.
Postmaster Thompson, of Memphis,
ana his assistant having died of yellow
fever, Acting Postmaster General Tyner
will recommend the appointment of the
formers widow to the position of post
mistress. 1t is thought the president
will approve it.
THE LAND OFFICE.
The commissioner of the land office
will urge upon congress the importance
of the reorganization Of that office.
The commissioner says more clerks are
needed and salaries sufficient to COM
mand the services Of competent men,
THE NATIONAL BANKS.
a Washington special under date
of the 18th inst, says: The comp
troller of currency states that the ag-
gregate capital of the 2,4OO national
banks organized since the establish
ment of the national bank system.
which have become insolvent, was