The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-12-21
WASHINGTON.
Opposition to Gen. Howard.

OppOsltlOn 10 Ten. HOWARD.
WARRINGTON, Dec. 20.-Gen. Towards old
enemies do not dare to openly oppose his being
placed in command at West Point, but they
are lobbying to get bill passed restoring the
military academy to the charge of the Engi-
neer Corps, to which it was attached until the
breaking out of the war.
The Tax on Bank Checks, &C.
The following is the text of a bill for the re-
peal OF the tax on bank checks, bank capital
IN excess OF the amount held in government
bonds, and bank deposits, introduced in the
House today by the Hon. Levi p Morton.
Be it enacted, &c. First, that the first subdi-
vision of section 3408 of the Revised Statutes of
tn United States be and the same hereby is
repealed; second, that section 3418 of the Be-
vised Statutes of the United States be and the
same hereby is repealed; third, that section
5214 of the Revised Statutes Of the Uuited
States is hereby amended so as to read as fol-
lows:
SECTION, 52l4. In lieu of all existing taxes
every association shall pay to the Treasurer of
and July duty of one-half of per cent. each
half year upon the average amount of its notes
in circulation, and a duty of one-quarter of l
per centum each half year on the average
amount OF its capital stock beyond the amount
invested in United States bonds.
Proposed New State.
Delegate Bennett of Dakota is zealously la
of the House of Representatives in favor of
his bill to divide the Territory OF Dakota and
to admit the southern part into the Union as q
State. The bill has been referred to the COM
mittee on territories, which as yet has taken
no action regarding it. Mr.. Bennett proposes
to divide the present territory on the 10th par.
allel, north latitude, thus throwing about 3d.
600 square miles into the new State, and sc, 600
into the new territorial subdivision. The pop
ulation OF the new State would be about 100.-
600. and that of the Territory about $4,000
The population of the whole Territory in 1870
was only about 1900 against 10000 in $780,
and Mr.. Bennett says that the increase during
the last two years has been unprecedented
The total vote in 1878 was less than $4,000,
while in 1880 it exceeded $4,000, an increase of
about so per cent.
Trichinee in American Pork.
The Secretary Of the Treasury Wednesday
transmitted to the Senate a report on trichine
in American hams and other meat, prepared
under direction of the Surgeon General of the
Marine Hospital Service. The report orisi-
mated with certain letters from the United
States cOnsuls abroad. A letter from the con-
sular agent at Mayence, which is given, says
that rumcrs of the finding of trichinB in
American pork resulted upon examination In
proving that the meat infected was not Amer
lean at all but German. The report saws the
number of diseased swine is over-estimated
through the manipulatioDs of persons perhaps
those most interested, the German pork deal
ers and producer
Mr.. Conger Candidate for Senator.
A report has been circulated that Represen-
tative Conger has decided to withdraw from
the Senatorial race in Michigan. Mr.. Conger
AYERS that he is still a candidate for the o. 8.
Senatorship, is making earnest efforts and
hopes to be elected, and has not thought for
a moment of Withdrawing from the race. He
believes that he has today more votes assured
10 hos Alfh nr af fhA ntk
dates,a that it would therefore be the height
OF folly for him to withdraw. Mr.. Congers
confidence in his prospects Is shared by his
supporters, and some friends of the other can
didates admit that his chances are better than
those of anybody else.
The Appropriation Bills.
The House committee on commerce is en-
gagged today upon the river and harbor bill,
and the subcommittee of the appropriations
committee upon the army appropriation bill.
This bill will be reported to the full committee
tomorrow, and probably be at once reported
to the House. The amount recommended is
somewhat larger than last year, aggregating
S3O,OO0,0O0.
The Nomination Of Judge Woods.
The Senate judiciary committee today took
up the nomination OF Judge Woods to be AS
sociate Justice of the Supreme Court, but laid
it over, together with number of other nom
nations for further consideration. Several
memorials from Southern bar associations
strongly fayoring Judge Woods confirmation,
were received by the committee this NOR ming,
and the indications gathered from remarks
made by members OF the committee today are
that the nomination will be reported favora5ly
and confirmed without opposition.
Justice Strong Offered the Secretary.
ship Of the Navy.
Justice Strong was offered the position of
Secretary of the Navy after retiring from the
Supreme Bench, but there being some legal
doubts as to pensioned officer of the govern
ment filling cabinet place he declined it.
Illicit Distilleries Captured.
Illicit distilleries have been captured at Me
rose, Florida, and in Putnam county, Tennes-
see.
Farewell to Secretary Thompson.
To-day being the last day Of Secretary
ThempSop's administration of the Navy De-
partment, complimentary communication
was addressed to him by the chiefs Of bureaus
Secretary Thompson made feeling reply.