The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-01-24
WASHINGTON.
Nominations by the President.

of Ohio, George P. Hart and John E. Hart
ridge of Florida honorary commissioners to the
Paris Exposition. They were nominated by
the Governors of their respective States.
The President has also nominated Benjamin
T. Peixoto of Colorado, United States Consul
at Lyons.
The East Tennessee Marshalship.
1t is understood that Gen. G. 81. Wilcox. for
merly Confederate, will be nominated for U.
S. Marshal for East Tennessee, for which posi-
ton Mr.. Waldron was rejected.
Senator Lamar and the Silver Bill.
NEW YORK, Jan. 23-Washington despatch
es say that Senator Lamar of Mississippi will
speak on the silver bill according to his convic-
tions, and vote as he speaks. 1t had been ru-
mored that he would speak against the silver
bill and vote for it.
Bill TO Reduce Consular Salaries
The subcommittee having charge Of the di-
plomatic and consular bill have partially agreed
to reduce the salaries OF the leading missions,
the British, French, German and Russian from
SIT, 800 to $4,000. A reduction will also be
made in the pay of second and third-class mis-
sions.
The Venezuelan Award.
The question of the Venezuelan mixed COM
mission claims was taken up to-day for consid-
Grafton by the subcommittee of the House
Committee on Foreign Affairs, consisting of
Messrs Hamilton, Forney and Killinger. The
interests of the claimants were represented by
Wilson and those of the VENEZUELAN govern
ment by Mr.. Pile. After good deal of COLO
guy it was determined to have the testimony
taken at the last session of the 44th Congress
printed and counsel will be heard next We'd
nesday on the questions:
First, Whether the awards of the mixed
commission were tainted with fraud, and sec
ond, if so whether the House can originate
measure directing the Executive to suspend the
operation of a decree made under a treaty of
the commission with a foreign power.
The Syndicate.
As the contract between the Treasury De-
partment and the syndicate will terminate on
the Goth inst representatives of that body were
here to-day. arranging in connection with the
Secretary of the Treasury details OF settlement
with the government At the Cabinet meeting
to-day attention was given to the above subject,
though other matters were considered at the
brief session.
1t is understood that the Cabinet agreed to
release the syndicate from their last subscrip-
ton of $1O,0OO.000 of per cent. bonds, as Sec
rotary Sherman believes his plan OF selling
those bonds is successful, and accounts between
the government and the syndicate will there
fore be settled Immediately.
Senator BIaine's Silver Bill.
The bill introduced in the Senate today by
Mr.. Blaine is as follows:
A bill to authorize the coinage of silver dol
lars for circulation, and make the same legal
tender and for other purposes.
Be 1T enacted, etc.:
That silver bullion may be deposited at any
coinage mint or at assay mint in New York for
return 10 silver dollars of grains of standard
of bullion as from time to time may be fixed by
the director of the mint with an approval in
writing of the Secretary of the Treasury, and
which rate shall correspond as exactly as pos
thus placed shall in addition to other required
coinage authorized by existing law be coined
without delay to the full capacity of the mints.
Sec. 2. That any gain or profit arising from
coinage OF silver dollars shall after the pay
ment of the lawful wastage be covered into the
treasury of the United States at the close OF
each fiscal year.
Section 3-The silver dollar herein authoriz-
ed to be coined shall be legal tender as by exist
ing law in common with gold coin for all sums
ceeding IS the debtor shall have the right to
tender in full payment and the creditor the
right to dem and one half the amount in gold
coin and one half in silver.
Section 4-Fine or standard gold and silver
bars bearing the stamp of any coinage mint OF
ceived by the Assistant Treasurer at New York
for their stamped value, which shall be their
coming ratio respectively, and coin certificates
shall be issued therefor by the Assistant Treas
urer in the same manner as coin certificates
are now issued for gold coin, and certificates so
issued shall be redeemed by the Secretary Of
the Treasury on demand at the office of the
Assistant Treasurer at New York in coin OIL
stamped bars of bullion deposited at his op
| ton.
Committee Bearings.
The House Judiciary Committee today heard
| arguments in regard to the bill which provides
| for the transfer to the Court of Claims of al
| claims against the government now pending
| in the executive departments Judge Casey,
| x.Chief Justice of the Court of Claims, pre-
santad Qroumant in favor of the hill and
| Assistant Secretary of the Treasury French
! was heard in opposition.
The subcommittee of the Ways and Means
| Committee today heard the argument of Col.
| in force taxing savings banks operate unequal
| ly in different parts OF the country and should
| be repealed.
Ex.Consui Myers Complaints.
John G. Myers suspended as consul general
| at Shanghai, has requested the House of Rep
resentatives to investigate the ADMINISTRATION
| of the consulate general at that port during
present minister to China; O. B. Bradford,
| vice consul general and consular clerk, and
| Myers himself as consul general. Myers state
| at length his grievances against these parties
| and the alleged unjust means which led to his
| suspension by President Hayes.
| Gen. Sherman Endorses Ex-Commission-
err Smith.
Gen. Sherman, in reply to letter from J.
| @ Smith, late Commissioner of Indian AT
| fairs, says:
"Your administration of the affairs of the
| Indian bureau was most satisfactory to me, tx
| Sheridan and to army officers generally I be-
| lieve your administration of the Indian bureau
| is the most successful of any in the past ter
| years and know from personal observation
| that you was always most active, jealous and L
| had supposed, successful in the discharge of its
! duties. But as to your wasting public money
| and property do not believe such thing pos
| sible. l assure you of my great personal and
| official respect and feel sure that the more YOU
| acts are examined the more reason you anG
your friends have to be satisfied
The Naval investigation.
The committee on expenditures in the Navy
Department, consisting of Messrs. Welles
| Carlisle and Page, to-day examined Nava
Constructor Easily and Albert j. Wheeler
| Copies of the contracts made by the Bureau o
Construction. and Repairs, under Secretary
Robson, were submitted.