The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-02-21
WASHINGTON.

Important Decision Regarding the Wool
Duty.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 19.-Assistant Secretary
of the Treasury French to-day rendered de-
cison on an appeal from firm lin Boston re-
garding the classification of "wool tops" pro-
duced from washed wool, in which he says:
" Schedule L of the Revised Statutes declares
the duty upon wool of all classes which shall
be imported secured shall be three times the
rate of duty to which it would be subject if
imported unwashed, and the same schedule
further declares that the duty upon all wool
which shall be imported in any other than
ordinary condition, as now aud heretofore
practiced, shall be double the duty to which it
would be otherwise subject The character
and condition of wool tops are essentially
different from that of wool as commonly inn
ported at the date of the passage of the wool
provision of the law cited as applicable to this
case. Hence the duty to be imposed upon this
merchandise is double the rate of duty inn
posed on secured woods. The woods in question
are carpet woods, and of the value of over -
cents per pound. The duty, if in an unwashed
condition, would, therefore, be cents per
pound, while the duty on secured wool of that
class would be IS cents per pound. The pro-
vision cited would doubled this rate, making
duty Sc cents per pound"
Condition of the Appropriation Bills.
The following is a statement of the condi-
ton of the work of the House committee of
appropriations: The military academy bill is
a law. The naval and consular and diplomatic
bills await the Presidents signature. The
army bill is ready for conference, the pensions
bill is ready TO. conference, the Senate having
asked it. The post Office bill is before the
committee with Senate committee on appro-
priations with amendments. The bill to
provide for the District of Columbia has passed
the Senate with important amendments. The
sundry civil bill was reported to the House
Thursday The deficiency bill will be re-
ported Tuesday. The river and harbor bill
has passed the House, and the agricultural bill
has been reported to the House. The total
sum recommended by all these bills as reported
is $187 PIT ,550.45.
Fernando Woods Funeral.
The funeral of Hon. Fernando Wood took
place this afternoon from his late residence
corner of 18th and l streets. 1t was largely at
tended. Nearly all the members of Congress
(both houses having adjourned to enable men,
bers to do SOY and many pominent government
officials were present. The services were con-
Quoted by DR.. Paret. They were the regular
services of the Episcopal CHI arch The pail
bearers were Senators Thurman and Bayard,
Speaker Randall and Representatives Mort on
and Loring. The remains lett here at 10
o'clock for New York.
Cabinet Rumors.
1t is intimated on all sides to-day that
Judge Folger is to be Secretary of the Treasury.
If he is, Senator Kirkwood may be Secretary
of the Interior, which will open the way for
Mr.. Wilson of Iowa to have seat in the
Senate.
The Funding Bill.
At the Treasury this morning the opinion is
expressed that the effect of the new Funding
bill will undoubtedly be to cause initiation of
the currency for at least one year, through
the issue of the Treasury certificates. There
seems to be an incorrect opinion among
80
proscriptive featu res of the new act will go
into effect Some appear to think that the
banks can retiIe circulation under the existing
law at any time prior to July LIST. This is in
correct; the banks cannot retire any circula-
ton by the deposit of legal tenders after this
act is approved. The provisions of the act
which re-enact the old law relative to retire.
ment of circulation go into effect Immediate
ly. After the act is approved the National
bank currency can only be reduced to one
third of the capital stock, and in order to do
this the banks must collect their own notes
and present them for redemption. Thus far
there has been no indication of disposition
to retire circulation. The amount received for
redemption to-day was $4,000, smaller
amount than has been received any Saturday
for . long period.
Congressional Temperance Society.
The Congressional Temperance Society held
their 47th anniversary this evening at the
Congregational church. Senator Dawes pre-
sided in absence of the President, Mr. Justice
Strong Among the resolutions adopted was
one requesting the President of the United
States to forbid the sale of liquors by store
keepers at army posts.
The River and Harbor Bill.
A grand effort is to be made in the Senate to
swell the river and harbor bill to $12,O 900
or $13, 100000. The Senators from the Msss-
sippi valley and the northwest complain that
their rivers are not sufficiently provided for,
almost universally. Senator Saunders, who
wants an additional 81, $3.50, 900 for the Missouri,
is perhaps the most extravagant in his de-
mands. 1t is understood that Senator Ed
munds will oppose the bill with all his power,
and an interesting debate over Its provisions is
anticipated.