The New York herald., 1879-12-24
WASHINGTON.
GENERAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.

Committee Ways and Means. These are being
considered during the recess by the chairman and
other members of the committee, and several OF
them will doubtless be reported to the House az
soon as the consideration OF the new rules-which
will have precedence all other businesss dis
posed o. The following is complete list of the
bills in question -
act imposing duties upon foreign imports lfve per
cent in lieu Of freight charges. &c. bonded ware
iva S,,es on ssc,n;natUa asa;nst tne
United States; reduce collection districtsl.
House OF Representatives. No. 16l.-To provide
for the free introduction Of samples.
House of Representatives No. 157.-To amend title
49, section 2.5O4 of the Revised Statutes Ito take
mineral waters from the free list).
House of Representatives. No. 3S2--To admit duty
free marble for monumental purposes.
House of Representatives No. S70.-To amend tho
statutes in relation to the immediate transportation
Of dutable goods.
House OF Representatives No. 1.s57.-To regulate
commerce between the United States and the Do
mnon of Canada in articles the growth, production
manufacture OF said countries. and to provide for
reciprocal navigation.
House OF Representatives No. 1,3S7.-Fixing a,duty
on crude indiarubber.
House of Representatives No. 1,394.-Regulating
the importation OF materials to be manufactured
in the United States and used in the construction
and repairs of vessels employed in the foreign trade
House of Representatives, No. 1.424-To amend
section 2874 Revised Statutes (change Of penalty for
unlawful delivery.
House OF Representatives, No. 42.-Authorizing
the appointment OF commissioners to ascertain
what terms mutually beneficial treaty Of commerce
with France can be arranged.
House or Representatives. No. 44-As above with
Brazil.
House of Representatives. No. 4a-As above with
Canada.
House Of Representatives. No. 7.-As to giving
notice to terminate the convention of June 1875.
with His Majesty the King Of the Hawaiian Isands.
House OF Representatives, No. 1,601.-To reduce
the expense Of collecting customs.
House OF Representatives. No. l.674.-To repeal so
much Of section 3,437 OF the Revised Statutes as
impose tax medicines medicinal prepaxations.
House of Representatives. No. 1s20.-ro regulate
the tariff sugar.
House of Representatives. No. 127.-Declaring the
meaning Of section 2.5O4 Of the Revised Statutes,
imposing duty on tin and terne plates.
house OF Representatives. No. 2.490-To facilitate
the registration of bills Of lading and other COM
mercisl instruments and to punish fraud therein.
section a5o5 Of the Revised statutes ito add to free
list books. &C.. for hospitals having medical
library.
House of Representatives. No. Notwithstanding
the privileges Of sections 1880 to 1897 OF the Re-
vised Statutes inclusive to tho port of St Louis No.
transportation in bond, &c
House of Representatives. No. 2.511.-To amend
the statutes in relation to immediate transportation
Of dutiable goods.
House of Representatives. No. 2,552.-To amend
section 29s1 of the Revised Statutes en for freight
on imported goods).
free Of customs duty chinchona or Peruvian bark,
together with all the akaloids and preparations OF
said bark.
House Of Representatives No. o.6o2.-Abolishing
all duties the importation of salt
House of Representatives. No. 2.6Ss-To simplify
the appraisement of goods wares and merchandise
imported into the United States and subject to ad
valorem duties.
House Of Representatives. No. 2, 2,G63-To authorize
the purchase OF foreign built ships citizens of the
United States for in the foreign carrying trade
House Of Representatives. No. 2,725.-To amend
existing customs duties and for other purposes
Charging duty on bOrax).
House of Representatives. No. 2.762.-To levy an
House of Represent atives No. O. 2S23.-To repeal the
duty on jute butts and jute rejections.
81, mo%se m a,.t OF nepresentasyes No 2s9oEIo sdmt
cines barytes and bichromate Of potash.
House of Representatives. No. 2.931.-Amending
section 3,022 Of the Revised Statutes Imported salt
used for packing beef pork to be free Of duty.)
House Of Representatives. No. 2.994.-Te amend
section 2.505 OF the Revised Statutes (wearng apps
REL TOOLS &c. for charitable or philsnthropic asso-
Citations. to be free OF duty.
THE FUNDING OPERATIONS s-sECRETARY sHER-
MAN WAITING THE ACTION OF CONGRESS-.
leading member Of the House, and one OF the
strongest advocates Of o three and q half per cent
bond expressed the opinion this evening that Secre
tary Sherman will not take the responsibility Of
issuing the remaining $10s OOO. 900 Of per cent
bonds authorized by former acts of Congress.
in the face of the evident intention OF
Congress to restrict him in all further fund
ing operations to rate of interest not exceeding
three and half per cent Treasury oficiasl, while
reticent to any expressed intentio purpose
the part of the Secretary to issue the remaining
S1Os of four per cents do not affirm
that he decidedly favors doing and delays rather
in Difference the fact that legislation upon refund
ing is pending in Congress than from any
doubt which he may entertain Of tho expediency Of
such a move.
In support Of the Secretary's views the depart
ment is in receipt of letters and kilograms from
|, leading banks and bankers assuring him that 1t
would be impossible at present to float any consid
cradle number Of bonds at par bearing lower rate
of interest than four per cent
The last public debt statement shows that of the
interest bearing debt there now outstanding
S254 .392. $50 of six per bonds. which mature
in June, 1881. and s50s. $50 of fve per
cent bonds. which mature in May. 1881.
making total of s762. 1872 900 of Ave and
SIX per cent bonds maturing in 1881. and
for their payment rcfunding some provision must
be made by the government Secretary sherman
favors four per cent bond. believing it will
the desired results. at once relieving the government
Of the embarrassment it must necessarily experience
IL the five and six per cents allowed to mature,
ana aording the holders of these bonds ut present
rates an opportunity to dispose of them advantage
ously and themselves against the contingency
of a failure on the part Of the government to re-
deem them ut maturity.
ENTRY OF MINERAL IANDs-IMPoRrANr DRCI-
SION by THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR.
Attorney General Devens left the city last night
for Boston. Ho expects to be absent unit. after tho
holidays.
The Secretary OF the Interior to-day rendered
decision of Importance to all purchasers
of public lands by private entry" hold
ing that wherever, prior to ratenting, 1t
is discovered tnat land previously offered and
entered agricultural is roally mineral In
its character. the entry must be cancelled and the
land reserved for entry under the laws specially ap
plicable to mining lands. The issue presented
by tho of Smith scoggin VS.. Charles Il. Culvor
ct al. involving title to tract of 1900 of
land in the Camden (Arkansss) district, which was
purchased from tho government at private entry
in April. 1878. but subsequently found to contain
argentifcrous lead ores. The purchasers contendcd
however. that tho cash payment made to the local
land Office under the law respecting private entry
had already completed contract with tho govern