Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1882-05-30
WASHINGTON.
Another Day Of Fillibustering In
the House.
Motion to, Quash Indictments III
the Star Route Cases.
Postmasters Directed to observe
Decoration Day.

WASHINGTON, May 27.-The star
route cases came up in the Criminal
Court to-day. Motions were made
to auash the indictments. After ar
gument in the Messrs. Dorsey's
case, Judge Wylie overruled the mo-
ton. Mr.. Wilson called up his mo-
ton in Mr.. Farmers behalf, but be-
fore he concluded his argument
court adjourned.
Acting Postmaster-G General Hat
ton issued an order to day, ad-
dressed to all postmasters, directing
a general observance of decoration
day by closing all post Offices, ex-
cept in large cities, between 10 a. m.
and p. m., on Thursday next. In
large cities the postmasters may exe
ercise their judgment in fixing the
hours.
Circulars from the National Re-
publican Congressional Campaign
Committee were read by the EN-,
ployes at the Capital to day, in
which each employe is informed that
he will be expected to contribute 2
per cent. of bis annual salary toward
the campaign fund, which is to be
used during next fall. These cir
culars impose an assessment of $24
on each door-keeper and about $40
on the page boys.
George S. Bell, occupying the re-
sponsible position of custodian of
dies, plates, etc, at the Bureau of
Engraving and Printing, was dis
charged by Secretary Folger to>day,
and Mr.. Burritt, of the same de-
partment, temporarily appointed in
his place. To avoid any misunder-
standing as to the cause of this ac-
ton it is authoritatively stated that
it has no bearing whatever on the
stolen $1,000 bond plate.
Mr.. Bell was dismissed because of
gross carelessness and lack of vigi-
lance in the discharge of his duties.
On Thusday last, two important dis
used plates in the manufacture Of
United States notes were drawn from
him on regular requisition, signed
by the superintendent of the bureau
In accordance with his instructions
he should have seen that they
were returned to their proper
place of security before leav-
ing the building for the day, but
he neglected to do so, and the dies
were found by the night watchman
on desk in one of the offices, where
they had been carelessly left at the
close of business. These facts were
reported to the secretary, who at
once instituted a thorough investi-
cation, with the result above stated.
Fortunately the dies had not been
tampered with nor misused in any
way, although the possibilities of
such danger caused quite an excite
ment among the officers and ems
ployees of the bureau. Secretary
Folger says in this connection, that
the honesty of MIR. Bell has not been
impeached.
WASHINGTON, May 29.-The Demo
cratic members of the House held a
conference this morning, and after a
general discussion of the present
situation, it was proposed that a
managing committee OF five men,
bers be appointed to conduct the
contest on the part of the minority.
This proposition was met with tbs
suggestion that the gentlemen who
have been acting as leaders of tht
minority be requested to continue il
that capacity. It was then uuani-
mously agreed that Messrs Randall
Blackburn, Carlisle, Kenna an,
Atherton should manage the contest
Further agreement was reached t.
the effect that if the Speaker shoul,
make arbitrary rulings for the pur
pose of forcing the minority to sui
nit to the will of the majority in tn
pending contest, that another con
ference should be held, to determin
the course to be pursued by th
Democratic members.
HOTEL ARRIVALS,