The Portland daily press., 1882-03-02
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WASHINGTON.
Army RatiremantS.

Army Retirements.
WASHINGTON, March 1.-The House commit
tee on military affairs had under consideration
this morning the subject of retirement in the
army. Major General Hancock came before
the committee and gave his views.
Army Appropri alton Bill.
The House committee on appropriation en-
gagged upon the army appropriation bill this
morning and expect to complete it at the next
meeting.
Aid to the Louisiana Sufferers.
The Secretary of War to-day issued instruc-
tions to the officer in charge of the commissary
depot at New Orleans to communicate at once
McEnery SO that the desired relief may be af-
forded to the sufferers by the floods in Louisi-
ana.
Decrease in Internal Revenue Receipts.
During the first four months of the current
fiscal year there wasta monthly increase in in
ternal revenue receipts, ranging from $1 ,0l3,-
725 In July to 80, .495 in October Since the
latter month there has been perceptible fall
ing off in receipts. The increase during No
yember, 1881, compared with the same month
in 1880 was but $683,600. During December,
the increase was but $402,711. During Janua-
ry, 1866, ,125, and during February there was a
decrease in receipts, compared with those of
1884, amounting to $274, $50. This is the first
decrease in receipts since the agitation of the
reduction in the tobacco tax two years ago.
The decrease referred to is thought to be Who'll
ly attributable to the unsettled question OF tax
alton, and unless speedy action on the subject
is taken by Congress there is reason to fear
greater decrease may occur in the near future.
The Mississippi Improvement Scheme.
House committee on improvement of the
Mississippi river gave further hearing to-day
to Captain Eads in defence and explanation Of
the lefty system at the mouth of the Mississ-
ippi river. Captain Eads stated if the gaps in
the levees were repaired, which could be done
at an expense OF $3,000,OOO such overflows as
the present would not occur.
More Indictments in the Straw Bond
Cases.
The Grand Jury to-day brought in a second
batch of indictments in the straw bond and
star route cases which were presented to the
court as follows:
Kate M. Armstrong, James W. Donohue,
W. w. jackson, A. e. Boone and Samuel G.
Cabell for conspiracy.
John r. Miner and John w. Dorsey, latter
on two counts, for perjury.
Dinner to Ex-senator Sargent.
A sumptuous complimentary dinner was CIV
en- at Walkers tonight by Ex-senator Mitch
ell to Mr. Sargent of California as new minis
ter to Berlin, which was attended by nearly
seventy guests, including Speaker Keifer, JUS
tice Field, Secretary Kirkwood, Postmaster
General Howe, Senators Miller, Farley, Jones
of Nevada, Sherman, Dawes and Ferry, Rep
resentatiyes Hiscock and Knott and others of
prominence.
Gold and SILVER Coinage.
Representative Page, from the committee on
coinage, to-day reported bill relative to the
coinage of gold and silver coins and to provide
for the issue of paper certificates for silver bull
lion. The principal changes in the existing
coinage laws proposed by the bill are, first,
ST and SO coins are stricken from the list of
gold coins and the trade dollar from the list of
silver coins; second, the standard silver dollar
coined as now provided by law is made unit
of value third, subsidiary silver coins are
made of full standard value and all gold and
silver coins authorized by law are made legal
tender for all sums at nominal value.
The bill also proposes an extension OF the
plan of issuing silver certificates based on de-
posits of silver bullion.