New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-12-31
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.
POSTMASTERS ALARMED BY SMALLPOX.


Advces received nc the Post Office Depart
mcnt from postmasters show an alarming increase In
smallpox in all sections of the country In some
cases-nOably one in New York State-the Department
has been appealed to by postmasters to adopt some
method OF protecting them from infected mail matter
even to the extent OF stopping the mails altogether
other fail The postal authorities are considering
the matter and are sDOsed take any step that may
be feasible III this direction Some days ago tne DTEat %
ment directed the surety Of the postmaster at naa
Walla Washington Territory, 10 take charge OF anu re-
move the office ANA effects Or the reason tIat snpOH
had appeared in the family OF the postmaster A. 10 NV
learned that in attempting 10 discharge ta uu'y 'nc
surety contracted the disease and has since dlcu'
DECISIONS BY CONTROLLER LAWRENCE.
Judge Lawrence, First Controller OF the
Treasury has to-day rendered decisions in several cases
arising under section 1,765 Of the Revised Statutes
In OF these decisions the Controller lOlds that
special deputy marshal appointed to make certain
arrest in Texas under promise OF receiving reward o
$3.50 offered by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue
is entitled receive the reward although II he had been
regular deputy marshal 1t could not legally be paid to
him In the case OF Professor c. V. Riley, who occupied
thc position OF Entomo.Ogist in the Department OF Asr
mOlOgical Commission under the act OF March 8, Io'I
the Controller decides that he was an oicer IN Dotl
does not prohibit one person VINO holds TWO deOhCV
offices from receiving the salaries OF both"
AN OPINION IN THE TOMBSTONE CASES.
Acting Attorney General Phillips submitted
10 the President opinion in regard TO the Tombstone
(ArzunaJ cases, which to-day referred to the In
terror Department. The opinion s in substance, that
the locaon OF town-sites cannot deprive persons of
mineral rights previously acquired that the parties
having previously preempted mineral land have law
fully The right 20 ahead and take out mineral IN the
ground of the OWnec, but the! must not destOy any
OF he town improvements streets-tLat H. the surface
may preserved for the town. but the mineral under
meath tie surface beong5 to the parueS VINO nave pre- re-
cmptcd mineral land there's but that mineral must De
taken out without injury or detrlment tO the town.
TIE REDEMPTION OF GOVERNMENT BONDS.
The total amount of United States bonds re-
deemed up date under the l05th call is $l75s06OO
leaving - IIO4JO sti outstanding, on which interest
ceased December 2I The rcdcmpu0ns Of bonds under
the OCth call shown By the Treasury books to-
day ucgrcgate Sc sol lO6. To this amount are TO be
added the bonds received in NewYork since December,
and various small amounts received IN Nashnston ana
which are yet fully entCrr-lc5s than half million
In a-lcaying about Sl26oOpOo YET OUTSTANDING ltet
this calI which the Government oIGrs 10 lay inc IN,
tcrrtt without rebate TO January ~ when the eau
natures and the interest ceases.
OUTLAWS TAKING REFUGE IN A TERRITORY.
Secretary Kirlwood has received from the
Mayor OF Caldwell, Kansas dispatch complaining that
certain ruGlans who December H. "raided"
Caldwell have taken refuge In the Indian Territory, and
asking the Secretary have them removed by the mill
tory In his reply Secretary states that steps will
be- taken arrest the guilty they can be foun
ht suggests that the border counties OF Kansas sOuu
cousider themselves interested In dscOuragng all at
trupts % mako the Indian Territory rendezvous for
outlaws
THE FREEDMENs BANK BUILDING.
An effort will be made to induce Congress
IN buv the Frcedmcns Bank Building now occupied by
the Dcpartment OF Justice and the Court OF Claims.
Tho uIrchgse would enable dividend Of 20 per cent 10
bc paid 10 the $4,000 unfortunate depoSitors, making 60
ucr cent in all on the amount OF their deposits.