Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-04-01

SlOent To-Day.
THE OUTLOOK now is that the debate on the
army bill in the House will extend into next
week, indeed it may consume all OF it. Up to
noon to-day seventy eight members were on
debate is not limited each OF the speakers c.
claim one hour. The democrats are inclined to
allow the fullest discussion. and it is not now
probable that the prev1ors question wi
be called until Saturday week.
The SENATE COMMITTEE ON PATENTS to-day
adopted resolution providing that no bills Cr
petitions for extensions of patents shall be con-
sidered by the committee during the ext a
session.
THE QUARTERLY INTEREST on the public debt
Is being paid to-day. The only government
bonds upon which interest is now due are the
four per cents. This amounts to about $500, ,OOo.
In addition to this the Treasury Is paying the
naess on .ne e, o1d quarterly registered stock
This interest amounts to $14,762. Checks are
teing prepared at the Treasury and will be for
waroed TO the holders of these bonds for the
amount due them.
THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE to-day in
formally decided that for the present it will
not consider any Of the bills which have been
referred to 1t. There is an understanding. how
ever, that In the event of Congress manifesttng
a dlspoSlt1on to enter upon general legislation
I1ls session the committee will then proceed to
transact business as usual.
PERsoNAL.-Comptroller Porter leaves to-day
with bis daughter for Annapolis, where he will
make brief visit, and his daughter will stay
until next winter: Miss Porter has been a
great favorite In Washington society. Mr..
Washington Price, one of the Executive clerks
at the White House, has returned from week
in Delaware.
MAJOR A. n. NICKERsON assistant adjutant
general, L. S. A., having in obedience to orders
reported to the War department. has been as
signed TO duty in the Office OF Adjutant General
Townsend.
THE THIRTY RUNAWAY PoNCAs are now on
their way back to Indian Territory. II they
were permitted to remain in Dakota, every dis
satisfied Indian in Indian Territory might be
expected to start for the north with the hope
OF obtaining the same permission. When Com
missioner Hayt last visited the Poncas he was
tod that Standing Bear would run away at the
t1rely unexpected.
INTEREST TABLE FOR THE NEW LoAN.-The
Treasurer Ofthe United States has prepared an
interest table, showing the interest on the re-
funding certificates In amounts of $40, $40, $50,
$40, $50 $100, $500, 81 600, and SO OOO from one
10 ninety days. Copies OF this table " i'll be sent
TO national banks and U. s. depositaries for
placing the certificates.
INDIAN STUDENTS AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
Capt. Pratt, L. s. A, who originated the pro-
Ject OF educating young Indians at the Hamp-
ton (Va.) Normal Institute, was at the White
House today. He was accompanied by party
q young Indian students, ranging from ABOUT
10 to 20 years old. They were Johnny Robb
&sio9x), ah d Onetont lKioWal, Matches iCheyenne),
Lichkereutse (Cheyennej and George (Aleutian}'
The two latter are employed at the Smithsonian
Institution In this city. -Four of the Indians
We're in the uniform OF the Normal Institute.
I,0
average time which they have been at the in
stitute is about eight months. They appeared
in manners In favorable contrast to number
audience with the President in the ante room.
Capt. Pratt made the visit to the President at
the suggestion OF the Secretary of War; in
70 m ssGT e had been
the party very kindly, and expressed gratifca-
ton at the evident advance In civilization
made by the young braves. He also congratu-
lated capt. Pratt upon the success Of his under
taking.
TIE HOUSE CoAMITTEEs.-TheH House commit
tee on rules have decided to recommend to the
House that the total membership of the fol-
lowing committees be increased from IL (as at
at the last CongresS to Is, namely: Elections,
commerce and agriculture. 1t was also agreed
to recommend that the membership Of the
committees on enrolled bills and printing be
fixed at Z. The former committee during the
Forty fifth Congress had members and the
latter 3. Also that the membership OF the COM
mlttee on coinage, weights and measures be In
creased from to II. The resolution introduced
In the House by Mr.. Cox, OF New York, and
referred to the committee on rules, providing
wit: One on the census, one on reform In the
civil service, one on the state of the law re-
specting the ascertainment and declaration OF
tne n result OF election OF President and Vice
PRESIDENT, and one on the yellow fever cpl
demic, with the same number of members
duties, scope, privileges and power as those on
similar subjects OF the last Congress, was
agreed TO and Will be reported upon favorably.
AN OPINION OF IMPORTANCE to all holders OF
dishonored municipal bonds, and one which is
decisive Of certain class Of cases, was rendered
In the L. S. Supreme Court yesterday tn the
case OF Morris Ranger against the city Of f New lew
orleans. The litigation arose out OF an appllca-
tlon for writ OF mandamuS to compel the
authorities OF that city to levy tax to pay Ger
tain Judgments rendered against il upon bonds
issued to the New Orleans. jackson and Great
Northern Railroad Company. The city set up
as defense that there was no legislative au-
tnorlty Tor the levy OF such q tax. The peti-
tioner demurred to this answer but the circuit
court oyerruled the demurrer and denied the
writ, WhereupOn the petitioner took this appeal
that the power OF taxation belongs exclusively
TO the legislative branch OF the government,
ana that the judiciary cannot direct a tax to
latuIe. This court holds, however, in careful
opinion delivered by Justice Field, that al
though the power Of taxation is legislative
pIerogative, 1t may be delegated to q municipal
corporation, and that when such corporation
Is created the power OF taxation is vested in 1t
as an essential attribute for all the purposes OF
its existence, unless It's exercise is In express
terms prohibited.
REDUCING SALARIES IN THE PATENT OFFICE.
In order to overcome the deficiency In the
Patent OfIice appropriation, which carrying the
present force at the present salaries would
cause. the Commissioner OF Patents has de-
termined 10 reduce the salaries of all employees
In the clerical divisions OF the Office ~ per cent.
for the last three months OF the year. The eX-
aminerS salaries cannot, OF course, be touched.
The only other way in which the deficiency
could be prevented is by means Of wholesale
discharge. The clerks, who have escaped pre-
viOus discharges are efficient and their services
are needed. Those to be discharged would need
10 be selected by lot. 1t Is thought the clerks
would prefer slight reduction OF salary for
short time, rather than run the chance OF
losing Office entirely. After these reductions
are made there will, perhaps, still remain,
deficiency OF few thousand dollars which viii
be overcome by few discharges.
INTERNATIONAL ART EXHIBITION AT MUNICH.
The l. S. consul at Munich, Germany, informs
the Department Of State that an International
Art Exhibition will be held at Munich from
July 90th to october 31st OF the present year.
Artist OF all nations are invited to contribute
paintings, statuary, architectural drawings,
enQrayinpS ond afohfnpS The oyhfhiti0n iS