St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1881-05-20
News of the Week.
WASHINGTON MATTERS.

comfortable spirit of dictation, that the
Senators did not propose to allow the
wheels of business to be blocked any
longer because one man was not pleas
ed with Custom House appointment.
The Manchester On. H. Union pub
fishes an interview with William T..
Chandler, i'll which he denies that he is
about to withdraw from the contest for
the solicitor generalship.
Sir Edward Thornton, British Minis
ter to the United States, has unOfficially
communicated to the secretary of state
and to his colleagues of the diplomatic
corps the fact that he has accepted the
tender of the British embassy to Rus
STA.
| One hundred and sixty millions of
the six per cent. bonds have thus far
been received at the national Treasury
for continuance at % per cent, leaving
but $4,000, 900 of that class to be tax
en- up.
The Senate has confirmed General
LOngstreet to be United States marshal
for Georgia.
Stanley Matthews has been confirm
ed as an associate justice of the Su-
preme Court by one majority.
Under the new contract, which ex-
pires June 80, 1885, the number of post
al cards to he furnished the govern
ment is estimated at 2,000,000, 900. 1t
would require three men over 60 years
to count them singly, working 10 hours
every day i'll the year, and counting ut
the rate of 80 Il minute ; or, if the cards
could be placed end to end, they would
extend a distance of over 164 900 miles,
ence of the earth.
Postmaster G eneral James has al
ready saved $4l2, 034 to the government
by cutting off useless star-rOute and
steamboat mail service without affect
ing its efficiency.
The Senate will probably adjourn
this week.
| CONKLING AND PLATT RESIGN.
After the report in the case OF
Marshal Lewis of Virginia, on Monday,
the vice president laid before the sen
ate two letters, one from Senator Platt
and one from Senator COnkling,
of New York, stating that these gen
tlemen had forwarded their resigna-
tiOns as United States senators to the
| governor of that state. The letters
give no reason for the designations.
There was Il great sensation i'll the
senate, as the action seemed to be en-
tirely unexpected. 1t is stated that
these senators contemplate appealing
to the legislature of the state for re-
election, expecting that they will he
reelected and that the election will be
Il justification of their course in the
Robertson matter. The designations
of COnkling and Platt were sent to AL
bany by special messenger, late Sun
day night. This was done after il
became entirely clear that Robertson
would not withdraw or be withdrawn.
The legislature is still i'll session. Two
weeks notice is said to be necessary
for Il new election.
ROBERTSON AND MERRITT CONFIRMED.
Notwithstanding the opposition OF
the Conklingites, Robertson was on
Wednesday unanimously confirmed as
Collector of the Port of New York.
Merritt was confirmed unanimously us
Consul General ut London.
MRS. GARFIELD ILL.
Mrs Garfield, wife of the President,
has been seriously i'll of nervous pros
tratiOn, aggravated by the malari-
al influences from the river flats to
which the White House is exposed.
The latest reports, we are glad to say,
Indicate that she is improving.
FEELING AGAINST CONKLING.
Latest advices from Albany show that
there is some doubt about the re-elec-
ton of Conkling and Platt. The in
dependent members of the legislature
are determined to oppose them, and
there is every prospect of fight.
LAST WEEKS FAILURES.
The number of failures throughout
the United States and Canadas for last
week was %, a decrease of 81 COM
F! pared with the preceding week and far
below the average. The most marked
decrease is in the southern states, the
number being Is, against % for the
states there was decrease from - to
l3, and in the western states % to "a.
The middle states had % failures, an
increase of 3. The Pacific coast states
had ), an increase of /. In Canada
and the provinces there were IL, de
crease of |.
LABOR INTERESTS.
The troubles in the Grand Trunk
car-shOps at Montreal have eliminated
in a general strike and $50 men have
stopped work. 1t appears that the late
advance of wages was only given to
about 80 men. Both the mechanics
and helpers now demand an increase.
The company's officials say they can
shut up their shops for two months
without Inconvenience, and if the men
do not return at the old wages they
will certainly do so. The painters,
carpenters, blacksmiths and labOrcrs
are engaged i'll the present movement.
The union mOlders of the James
Smart manufacturing company at
Brockville, Ont, have struck on ac-
count of the employment of boys and
non union men.
The New York blacksmiths and
wheelwrights have decided to demand
an increase of % per cent. At present
they receive from $3.50 to 81 a day.
The heat killed eight persons in
New York and Brooklyn on Thursday
of last week also one man in Cleve-
an d, Ohio.
The employees in the pipe foundry of
Andrew McNeal, at Burlington, n. j.,
numbering some $50 men, have had
their wages increased 10 per cent. on
account of the flOurishing condition of
| business.