The Russellville Democrat., 1881-12-08
THE NEWS CONDENSED.
HAPPENINGS or THE PAST WEEK FROM ALI PARTS OF THE
 EARTH.
Culisd, Rewritten, Classified and Con. densed Interesting Items Picked up on the Shores of the Worlds
 Ocean of Nsns.
Washington.


 FRoM the fact that three postofiice in spectors have been before the grand jury, it is believed that body has entered upon the star route investigation.
 PR9F, r. E HuGH Chief of fhe Division of Forestry of the Agricultural Department, has returned from Europe. and at an early day will make 8 report Of his investiga- uons, with recommendation to Congress for the planting, preservation and main tenance of forests on prsirie and desert lands of the United States.
 TIE receipts from toi3agso for the last fiscal year were s42 S54,000, and the receipts from all subjects of excise were Sl35. .22a OGO--an excess of more than Sl1,- OGO Og0 over those of the preceding year. and the receipts continue to increase: for the first four months of the present fiscal year. July, August. September and Octo- Der. the7 were f59, S76 000, and if this rate shall be rlainta net throughout the year, the total receipts win be Si57 coo 0O0-- larger than they have been in any one year since 1870.
 AcrrsG Attorney General Philips has de- cided to pay the amounts due a contractor in the post office department. who was bondsmau for a contractorin the same em ploy. who had fines and deductions charged up against him. | could be withheld at the discretion Of the auditor until the fines and deductions were paid. This de- cision iyas rendered in the case of Edwin Reeside. who was on the bond of J. k Reside. The latter owed the government l.700 in fines and deductions, and the Au ditor withheld the pay due Edwin Reside
 AMARnLz tablet has been placed in the ladies waiting-roon ofthe Baltimore and Potomac Depot, to mark the spot where President Garfield was shot. The tablet is American statuury marble, and consists of a sill resting upon two calbels, outside Of which are two piiasters representing an ax and iasces. Two draPei fla form canopy over the inscription in gold letter. "Jam.s Abram Garfield, President of the United States, Shot July 2, 18Sl.' The whole is surmounted by an esele with outstretChed wings, holding in it's talons bundle oi arrows and laurel leaves.
 SECRETARY HUST, in his annual report, calls the attention of congress to the neg lected condition of the navy, and says; "Unles5 some action bs had h it's behalf it must soon dwindle into insignifcanee. " He devotes considerable space to the con sideraiiou Of reports of bureau officers, and generally indarses recommendations sub rnitted Secretary Hupt estimates that s20 f3,3l6 will be needed to defrav the ex- pe1ses of the department for tbe fiscal year ending June 8. 1883 Calls are made upon the depar' inert to send vessels into diff .ren parts of the world to prevent threatened aggression upon the rights of Americean cigizsns, and shield them in time of civil commotion in foreign lands from insult or personal indignity. It is deplored that in many such instances it has proved impos- sible to respond to these calls from want of a sufficient number of vessels. These things f.sTs ! AsA la Ia pf l not be large, it should at all times afford a nucleus for it's enlargement upon emergen- cy. IL becomes the duty of congress to see to 1t that the navy of the United States should not be left to perish thr3ngh iuani- ton. but should be restored 10 a condition of usefulness to which it may, on occasion, be so expanded IS to become 8 ready Dleans of protection st home or active aggressive warfare iu ports and waters of an enemy Secretary Hunt, therefore, heartily com mends to the consideration of congress the results of the labors of the Naval Advisory Board. Referring to the work of naval sar- yeying, the Secretary recommends congress to appropriate the amount necessary to carry out systematic surveys of parts of the West Indies, Spanish main. coasts oi Mexico, and Central America. In further ance of this object the Secretary says the United States steamer Dispatch has been detailed Tor the purpose ot surveying during the coming winter months the waters end shoals of the Gulf of Samana and the Iaand of San Domingo, which from typographical position and extent seems destined to be- come of great imporisnca commercially, and as soon as the United States steamer Por- tia is ready for sea she will bs employed in similar service on the Spanish Main Alp. populations available for current expenses for the fiscal year ended June 30. 1881, were sl6092,o31; expenditures, sl4, 450 7s9.