The Portland daily press., 1881-11-28
WASHINGTON.
Mr. Gihaon ana the Star Routes.

Mr.. gibson ana the 6Gar tOub6S.
WASHINGTON, Nov. ga. M. Gibson has
written long letter to Acting Attorney Gen.
eral Phillips stating that he (Gibson) was regu-
larly appointed special assistant attorney for
the u tied States upon the application ana
recommendation of Postmaster General james
sanctioned by President Garfield, and quotes
letter from Attorney General MacVeagh dated
Oct. %, in which the latter gives him author
ization to act as such and regretting his APP
pointment had not been made matter OF
record in the department of justice when hrst
made.
Attorney Phillips replies stating the course
of his chief clerk was correct as there is neitl-
or commission nor oath of office upon the Mes
of the department of justice and both are nee
essary to the creation OF an assistant attorney
of the United States. Mr.. Phillips says: up
on this state of facts I must assume that you
have misunderstood the character of the
agency which you have received from Attor-
ney General MacVeagh. AS for the contents
this department it will be time enough for me
to consider them when report shall have been
made to this department which has not yet
been DONE"
Guiteau's Alleged Assailant Indicted.
In the Criminal Court this afternoon the
grand jury reported the Indictment Ir OF William
Guiteau on Saturday last.
The Christiancy Case.
A sick headache on the part of Mrs Mary F.
Lugenbeel, who was being cross-examined this
evening in the5 Christiancy divorce suit,
brought the session to Sudden adjournments
She testified she read all of the letters written
BY her daughter to George Z. Haight, but did
not recollect the nu mber or contents. On be-
ing shown the Giro letters she stated she was
unable to point our the difference between the
handwriting in them and those admitted to
have been written by Mrs. Christiancy.
The Star Route Cases.
john B. Sleman, bookkeeper in the sixth
auditors Office; w. D. Burbage, clerk in the
same office; M E. Fisher, former mail con-
tractor, and A. M. Gibson, appeared before
the grand jury. 1t is stated their testimony
related to the case of ex-Deputy Auditor Lii
lev, but it is believed the cases against ex-Sec-
ond Postmaster General Thomas j. Brady and
others were under consideration by the grand
jury.
The commissioners of the District of Column
bia, in their annual report to the President,
stale that the receipts into the treasury of the
District from all sources, during the year end
ed June 3d. 1881, were $4. 147 .8l7.75 the ex-
penditures amounted to $3,737 ,04967, leaving
balance on hand July l, 1881, including
trust and water funds, of $4l0,76S.0S There
enues applicable to general expenses, as COM
pared with the preceding fiscal year, of $219,-
645 II, and an increase of receipts from all
sources of 1921, o26 40.
Bond Redemption.
Secretary Folger has not yet decided what
action be will take relative to the outstanding
bonds. The computation recently ordered by
him, with view of ascertaining the premium
which might be paid by the government for
Al and per cent. bonds and still protect the
government from loss, has been completed and
shows that the government cannot buy As and
As at the present market rate without loss, as
compared with a call of 81 per cent. bonds.
The Secretary is still engaged in considering
the bond question, and consequently cannot
indicate when he will issue circular bearing
on the subject at ali events he will not do so
to-day
Report of the Director of the Mints.
The annual report of the director of the
United States mint for the fiscal year ended
June 80, 1881, has been submitted to the Sec
retary of the Treasury. 1t contains in addition
to the customary detailed statements OF the
mints and assay offices much valuable informa-
ton in regard TO the production of the precious
metals in the United States and in the world,
their use in the coinage OF this and foreign
countries, consumption in the arts and manu-
features, specie circulation and an examina-
ton of the course of prices, comparing the ps-
per and metallic circulation for series of hf-
ty-six years with the per centage OF yearly
prices of staple articles; indicating kthe annual
variations in the purchasing prices OF money.
The gold and silver received and operated
upon by all the minis and assay offices exceed.
ed by more thar $50 900 900 the receipts of
ANY previous year and amounted to3$226, 225,-
522, of which $193, 81, OF was COLO and $780,
S54 .421 silver. The gold coinage amounted to
S78 733, 1854, of which S15 345, 500 was in double
eagles and the balance in lesser denominations.
The coinage of silver was confined to the min
imum value of silver bullion required by law.