The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-11-12
WASHINGTON.
[FRoM our SPECIAL CoRREsPoNDENT.l

L Nun OUh DfEClAL OONhHbfONBbNTsl
WASHINGTON, Nov. S, 1881.
General HAGEN has submitted his an
nual report to Secretary Lincoln. There
has been during the year further progress
and accuracy Of prediction. The for
casts made in the interests of cotton
growers were of very great value. The
total number of stations of observation
in operation June 80, 1881, within the
territory of the United States and main
tanned for the signal service was 296. Re-
ports are also received from seventy ad-
ditional stations established by the au-
thoritits Of the Dominion Of Canada, also
from one at st. Johns, New Foundland,
and one at York Factory, British Ameri-
ca. The average cost of maintaining each
full station of observation during the
year, exclusive of the cost of telegraph
ing reports and the pay and maintenance
of the enlisted men OF duty at each, has
been 1886. 73, decrease since the pre-
oeding year ofS45 55 per station. A series
of experiments hns BEEN made with SUM-
flashes, with view of improving upon
the forms of the heliograph to be adopted
for the general use of the army, and 1t is
believed that the improved heliograph
selected combines great simplicity with
efficiency, and possesses many practical
advantages, so far as known, over similar
instrum ents in other services.
The annual report of Psymaster Gen.
eral N. w. Brown, United States Army,
submitted yesterday to the Secretary Of
War, states that during the fiscal year
ending June 80, last, the receipts were
SIS, $50, 967. 80, all of which amount was
accounted for. The amount received dur
ing the year from soldiers deposits was
1924, 112 rs, an increase of SAG, ,93S 28
over the previous year. 1t is recommend
ed that the laws which enact that upon a
leave of absence of more than thirty days
officers are reduced to balfpa be repeal
ed, as they are onerous especially in the
case of officers stationed in the extreme
West, much of whose time on leave is
taken in the travel East and back, The
number of paymaster's clerks should be
increased to fiity-six, in order to prevent
delay Of public business, and that they
be classed as ''civilian employees" and
tba;r nav n od ooD,raneaf;on .oo,,totod -,
the same manner as similar employees in
the other staff departments of the army.
For convenience and more equitable
expenditure it is recommended that the
appropriations for mileage. pay of the
army, and general expenses be consoli-
dated under one title. During the fiscal
year the payments of claims for bounty,
arrears of pay, prize money, etc., due
soldiers, both white and colored, has been
made. The payments devolved upon
this bureau by the act Of March 8, 1879,
have been prompt, satisfactory and eco
nomical. The system of ofidentiAcation of
claimants and placing the money in their
hands, seems as perfect as it can be made,
and no change is recommended.
AS yet very few of the Congressman
have pledged themselves to vote for any
one of the candidates in the field for the
Speakership. The new Representatives
are especially chary about making prom
es. Hiscoek has not the New York dele-
cation solid for him, nor are all thu Eas.
tern delegates for him. The Maine Con-
gressmen are for Reed, More of the
Rhode Islanders are at present for His
cock, and only one in the Massachusetts,
rel resentation has openly declared in
SUI port of him. The fight, however,
appears TO be between Kasson and His
cock.
Gen. James A. Williamson, late COM
missioner of the General Land Office, is
said to have been offered the Secretary
ship of the Interior, to take effect upon
tho assembling of Congress in December.
Gen. Williamson is at the present time
land agent of the Atlantic and Pacific
Railroad Company, though his family are
still in Washington. 1t is not known
whether he will accept place in the
Cabinet, as he is now in permanent and
lucrative position.
President Arthur has selected as his
private room in the White House the one
in the northwest corner of the second
floor, into which the late President was
removed for few hours while he was ly-
ing sick. He will leave for New York
this morning. On his return, which will
be in week or ten days, he will resume
his present quarters. The White House
improvements will probably be complete
before Congress meets, when the Presi.
dent will move in. AUGUST.