Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-01-18
WASHINGTON.
Congressional Matters.

WASHINGTON, January Ii. A bill was
introduced in the Senate to-day, to establish
an ocean mail service, and proposes to APP
propriate 100000 for that purpose. 1t
authorizes the postmaster general 10 make
contracts for transportation of United States
mails to such West Indian, South American
Central American, Mexican, Asatic and
European ports as in his judgment will best
subservc and promote the postal and COM
mcrcial interests of the L. S. Propositions
for the performance of this service is to be
advertised for, and service to be let to the
lowest bidder, to begin as soon practical
after the execution of the contracts. The
bill also provides that vessels employed in
this service must be steamships built in
American ship yards and owned and officcred
by American citizens. and the annual rate of
compensation for service must not exceed
$50 per mile one way per annum.
The House committee on elections con-
tinued the hearing upon protest of Repre-
sentatives llurd to seating of Representative
Taylor from the 18th Ohio district. The
committee will take action upon the case to-
morrow. They will also act upon the report
of the sub committee in the case of Bisbee
vs.. Hull, (Florida.) The sub committee I'M
animously favor unseating Hull (dem.) the
present incumbent
of the House, believe no action will be taken
this session in the Northern Pacific railroad
matter.
The apportionment bill introduced in the
House to-day, fixes the number of represen-
tatives at 30I. Compared with the present
number of members will make the following
losses and gains - Arkansas, California.
Iowa Michigan. Mississippi, South Carolina
and West Virginia gain each; Kansas gains
3; Texas gains 4 Minnesota and Nebraska
gains 2 each: Pennsylvania, Ohio, New
Hampshire, Maine, Indiana, Tennessee.
Florida an Vermont lose each; New York
loses 2.
The Senate confirmed the nominations OF
John l.. Morton as surveyor of customs at
San Francisco, and Edgar Stanton of Illinois.
now consulate at Bremen, to be consul gen.
era at St. Petersburg.
Senator Garland on the part of the Con
cressional members of the board of visitors
TO West Point academy to-day, submitted a
report signed by himself and Representative
Phillips, another signed by Senator Edmunds
and still another signed bv Representatives
Mckinley and Elton. Garland and Phillips
devote considerable space to the question of
admission of colored cadets. No solid rea-
sons they say can be assigned why colored
bows should not receive full and equal adj
vantages in the way of education, military
and all other kinds, with white. Respecting
the question of raising the standard of ad-
mission thew favor low standard. Edmunds
expresses the opinion that the standard of
admission ought to be raised. Investigation
he saws has convinced him that youths of the
African race have not received same treat
ment, at least from their fellow cadets, that
they would have received had they been of
L. l. 1...I
found himself isolated continually from his
fellow cadets-a prisoner in solitary confne
ment in the midst of his fellow cadets.
Referring to the Whitaker inquiry Mr..
Edmunds says the conduct of the case was
such as to place Whitaker in false position
in the beginning. If he saws the white cadets
can be exculpated on their mere declaration
that they were free from completely in Il e
outrage. the some theory ought to apply to
cadets of the colored race. but he does not
think well of the theory. In any case any
one who would commit such outrage
would deny it. He concluded by remarking
that there is no unsurmountable obstacle TO
the correction of existing evils at the acad-
emy. and if this cannot be accomplished it
should be matter of serious consideration
whether such an institution ought not to be
abolished A bill introduced by Mr. Garland
provides that hereafter no officer above the
rank of Colonel. shall be assigned to duty at
the military academy.
The last section of the bill provides for the
appointment of professor of German at the
academy.
News was received this afternoon that the
3l6th district of Columbia bonds had depre-
ciated nearly one per cent. The announce
ment caused considerable anxiety among
holders The reason was that there was no
permanent appropriation for the payment of
interest on these bonds which falls due Feb.
lst, and aggregates about 100000 Assur-
ances are now received that bill will be
Immediately passed making the necessary ap-
preparations and providing for q permanent
appropriation to meet the interest hereafter.