Morning journal and courier., 1882-03-27
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.

President Arthur's Reception-EInborate
 Preparations for the Event-The Cht-
 Minister the Ragged Edge
 Other Items of Interest.
 WASHINGTON, March 2G-Extensive prepa- rations are being made for President Arthur's first public reception next Tuesday. General and Mrs. Grant will be present. The deco rations of last weeks dinner remain and will be augmented to the extent of the conserva- tories. The Marine band will be there. Mrs. Grant will be assisted in receiving by Mrs. Frelinghuysen, Lincoln, Hunt, Brews- tsr, Davis Cameron and Miss Folger. Gen eral Grant goes South on Wednesday.
 The request of the commissioner of pen sions for an enlargement of the force to con- plete certain work has called forth similar requests from the adjutant and surgeon gen erals, they claiming that rushing things in the pension office will demand much more from them in records, etc.
 The Chinese Minister is waiting to see if the President vetoes the Chinese bill. If not, as is thought most likely will be the case, the Minister will be heard from emphatically. This is stated on full knowledge of his in tentions.
 Representatives of the Mississippi river in- terests who have been here some weeks urg ing legislation for the improvement of the Mississippi are all leaving tonight, believing the river will be well cared for. The report by the House committee of bill appropriat- ing six and half million on Friday and fav- orable indications in both branches of Con- l gress lead to the belief that the Mississippi will be better treated by this Congress than by any which preceded it and that five to six millions will be granted to be expended under the system proposed by the Mississippi river commission.
 An examination by Second Assistant Elmer of the results of the recent letting of Star 1 routes west of the Mississippi for another l term of four years, beginning July l, 1882, shows that under the new contract the cost l of the service will be only half as much as 1t was on January 1, 1881, two months before 1 Mir. James became Postmaster General. 1 The cost in what Is known as the Pacific sec | tion January 1, 1881, was $2, S44, l65, and under the new contract the cost will be $125, | 149, to which SIS, $50 should be added for new railway service which has superseded the Star service since March 4, 1881. The l cost of the Star service per mile in that sec tion on July l. 1882, will be only 494 per cent. of the cost of the Star service in the same section July 1, 1881. The annual cost 1 of twenty one expedited routes on January 1, 1881, under General Brady, was $647 ,638; under Messrs. James and Elmer the cost ot the same routes was reduced to SPA, ,361 and they have been let substantially as they l were after that reduction, but with faster schedules, for $97, ,194.
 The early adjournment of Congress so much talked about is all mere speculation. Ire contested election cases if pressed are bound to take up much time. Whether early or late
 but little legislation will be done The tariff commission bill is likely to pass to evade {
 tariff issue. One-ffth of the petitions in De
 cember and January were for railroad legisla
 tion, but there has been none and there art
 now no advocates before the committee. Th'
 clamor is dying out. Reagan's bill will fail
 Generals Grant, Beale and Mrs. BeaIe dinec
 with the President tonight.
 Congressman Allen is about the same
 Congressman Black is somewhat improved.