Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-08-21
WASHINGTON.

WASHINGTON.
Organization Of tho Mississippi River Inn
provement C0mmission-Basis of the
Fisheries Claim Made Upon England
New Line of Ocean Mail Stsamers-Mis-
cellaneous.
NAVAL PROMOTION.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 2O.-The President has APP
pointed Phillip o. Wales, Of Maryland, medical
inspector Of the United States navy, to be
surgeon general of the United States navy,
and chief of the bureau of medicine and sur
gerry. vice J. Winthrop Taylor, retired.
THE FISHERIES CLAIM.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 2O.-The claim for $lO3,-
600 damages on account Of illegal interferences
with American fishermen at Fortune Bay,
which have been presented to the British gov
eminent, is not claimed for the restoration of
that or any other part Of the Halifax award,
upon the ground of non fulfllment of condi-
tiOns. The present claim is for specific grew
ances, and is to be considered without reference
TO the amount of the Halifax award, and with
which it has nothing to do. Mr..
Welsh was instructed to base
the claim for $l0SOOO upon the actual
loss and damages sustained by American fish
ermen in consequence of the violent invasion
of their treaty rights at Fortune Bay, and to
obtain some security against recurrence of
similar offenses in the future. Advices re-
ceived by the State department from the
North American coast represent that, although
no actual violence has occurred this year, our
fisherman are deferred by apprehen.ious of vio-
lence from approaching the shore and carrying
|f,rp haSp hvpop rpr0r tod
them by treaty, and that we are therefore de-
irving no benefit from our agreement with the
British government and getting no return for
our money. The feeling which prevails be
tween our North American coast
fishermen and British fishermen,
using force to carry ont the local prohibitory
laws, is regarded by our government as ex-
tremely dangerous and liable at any moment
TO lead to bloodshed and q serious international
misunderstanding, and it is therefore very
anxious that some steps shall be taken by the
British government to do away with the local
prohibitory laws of the Canadian provinces,
which now practically override and nullify the
treaty provisions of far higher authority.
SILVER.
The treasury department. to-day purchased
between 100000 and 100000 ounces of silver
bullion, all for the Philadelphia mint. Offers
for the west were considered above market
rates.
CLAIM DECISIONS APPROVED.
The President has approved the decision Of
the secretary of state in the Benjamin We'll and
La Abra silver mining company awards, under
the claims convention with the United States.
Wells claim is for the value of 1890 bales of
cotton, said to have been captured and appro-
priated in Mexico, and the La Abra claim is
for the silver mining company. The secretary
in1o az lou,
nor considerations of justice or equity require
or permit as between the United States and
Mexico, that awards in these cases should be
reopened, and the cases retired be-
fore a new international tribunal,
or under any new convention or
negotiation respecting the same between the
United States and Mexico, am of opinion
the matters brought to the attention of this
government on the part of Mexico do bring
into grave doubt the substantial integrity OF
the claim of Benz. We'll and the sincerity OF
the evidence as to the measure of damages in.
sisted upon and accorded in the case of the La
Abra silver mining company, and that the
honor of the United States does require that
these two cases should be further Investigated
| by the United States to ascertain whether this
government has been made the means Of en-.
forcing against friendly power claims of oul
citizens based upon or exaggerated by fraud.
| NEW LINE OF NAH. STEAMERS.
new line of mail steamers is to be run be
tween New Orleans and New York and British
Honduras.
I TIE MISSISSIPPI RIVER IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION
| The organization of the Mississippi river i'm
provement commission was effected by the ap
| pointment Of Gen. Comstock secretary pre-
tenn. Resolutions were adopted requesting the
secretary of war to detail an officer Of the army
as permanent secretary to the commission.
committee was appointed composed Of Gen
Harrison of Indianapolis, Prof. Mitchell, of tn.
United States coast survey. and Major Suter o.
the engineer corps, to submit Recommendation.
/ as to the best method of obtaining and compil.
| ing statistics of the trade and commerce of The
Mississippi Valley and such other data as may
bn required for use of the commission. An
other committee was appointed consisting Of
survey, Major Suter of the engineer corps. an6
Major Harrod of New Orleans, to prepare ;
| plan for the future work of the commission
| and make such recommendations as they deem
necessary with regard TO the use and expendi
ture Of the existing appropriation of $4,000
! st. Louis has been selected as the permanent
headquarters of the commissian and the office
there will be under the immediate charge o
the permanent secretary, who will be the ex
ecutive officer of the commission and act un
] der the direction of a committee of member
residing in the West.
MAIL CONTRACTS.
The awards for local transportation of mail
were made to-day, as follows: Pittsburgh
George X. Otis, $4,964; Chicago, s.. P. Wholer
$l8,7O0; st. Louis. Robert P. Tousey, $l1, $3.50
New Orleans, w. G. James, 1878.
FISHERIES oUTRAGEs.
| In regard to the demand of the government
upon England for 100000 damages for the
Fortune Bay outrages, it is the wish of the
United States government that the matter be
settled, as it seems sure to result in aldifculty
| of grave nature, unless an early understand
| ing is reached. 1t is felt that under the treaty
as construed by the English government the
privileges entailed upon the United States are
not proportionate to the price paid for them.
POST OFFICE CONTRACTS.
| Proposals for mail messenger transfer and
sub Office service at Chicago, st Louis, Pitts
burgh, New Orleans and other cities were
| opened this afternoon. The nun Der of bidders
was about fifty. The awards will be made to-
morrow.
THE COURTS.
| Probate Court.
Before Judge O'Gorman.
In the matter of the estate of James McQuin.
ney, deceased; petition fled for letters of ad.
ministration. Order made for hearing Sep
! TENDER 16.
In the matter of the estates of Ernest Otte
! and Hermann Harff, deceased, time set for
| November, December, January and February.
MWnictpat Court.
TD,eo,o T,,,a~,o ms 4