The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1880-02-27
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Regular Correspondents

From Our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, D. G., Feb. 81, 1880.
The Inter>oceanic Canal project is still
a prominent topic of consideration, and
were it not for the very righteousness of
the idea, one might suppose that some>
body had in view the bringing about of a
little unpleasantness between the United
States and Foreign Powers. One thing
however is very certain, matters are get
ting into pretty deep water. Claimants
for the exclusive right Of constructing
the canal are already in the field, with
the American Atlantic and Pacific Canal
Company well in the front.
A strong movement for the establishs
ment of United States Consuls at 3 per
cent. is being made. 1t is universally
conceded that the Government can Dor
row all the money it wants at 81 per
cent. and to clear-headed financiers it is
apparent, that such being the case, it is
practicable to borrow at 81 per cent.
An immense saving will thus accrue to
the Government.
The Spanish Claims Commission, after
torpidity of nearly twelvernonth, is
beginning to show some signs of activity,
and will this week resume their sessions.
This will be good news to many claimants
who were fearing that their hotel bills
would absorb pretty much all they ex-
pected to receive from the commission in
the way of awards.
A bill has passed the Senate appropri-
ating the sum of ST 1000, for the purpose
of removing the remains of General
Sykes from Texas to West Point, in ac>
cordance with wish which he expressed
previous to his death,
/ The Superintendent of the Census has
issued instructions to Supervisors that
the appointment of enumerators should
be strictly non partisan. He also states
that he is not aware of any existing reas
son why women should not be appointed
as enumerators, but that each supervisor
should be the best judge of the advan-
tages which might accrue from such APP
| pointments in his district.
The bill to provide for the employment
of additional clerks in the Pension office
will be good news to many claimants
throughout the country. There is some
chance now of their getting their money,
if entitled to it, before they die.
There are many applications for the
vacant Indian Commissionership. The
Hon. R. E. Trowbridge of Michigan is
mentioned prominently but there is every
probability that the present acting Com.
missioner Brooks will be the successful
candidate.
A petition signed by a number of lead
| ing members of the New York mercan-
tile community was presented to the
House of representatives, praying for
the passage of a National Bankrupt Law
There appeared to be a general move
ment throughout the country in favor OF
such law.
Petitions against the reduction of the
duty upon steel rails have been presented
by the officers of various railroads having
total length of over 5000 miles. Srhey
assert that such reduction will be preju-
dicial to railroad interests as to American
steel industry.
A bill for holding an international in>
dustrial exhibition in New York in 1883
has been reported upon favorably by the
Senate Finance Committee. This COM
mission will consist of two members from
I CttCll CtdbC tSi1A VIC HUN CIlCIt
and about sixty citizens of New York
who are specified by name. The bill
provides that the United States should
not be liable for any expenses attending
the exhibition. The commission is aus
thorized to receive subscriptions to the
capital stock not exceeding $12,000000,
to be divided into shares.
! Washington is being strongly pushed
as the place for the meeting of the Ma
tional Democratic Convention, but in the
estimation of competent judges the ses
lection lies between Cincinnati and
Washington, and in all probability the
Ohio delegation will decide the question.
Washington is however especially
adapted to the purpose having ample
hotel accommodation and the hall of the
new National Museum capable Of holds
ing 5000 people will be completed in
time for the use Of the convention.