Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-12-20
Of age. Widows are now proposed by Mr. Platt's
bill to be also included within the exceptions.

Of age; Widows are now proposed by Mr. Platt's
blu to be also included within the exceptions.
PUBLIc LANDS.
Mr.. Strait, from the committee on public lands,
reported in the House yesterday I'LL TO repeal
the laws allowing the presumption OF the public
lands 1t was referred to the committee OF the
whole.
srAR ROUTES
Mr.. Scales offered "A resolution of inquiry In the
House yesterdIy directed TO the Postmaster Gen.
eral as to the failures to carry mails on star
routes
robson AMENDMENT ADOPTED.
The House in committre of the whole this after
noon agreed to R0beSon's amendment to the Post
Office appropriation bill, after being so mcdiflt
as to provide that the compensation
paid to the subsidized roads shall
be fxe1 by the Postmaster General at rate not
exceed;n : that fixed by him or allowed by law 10
other ompaI les OF the same class to which tie
United States have furnished aid By grant OF land,
right Of way OF otherwise.
CONSOLIDATION OF PACIFIC RAILROADS.
The Senate committee On railroads had under
consideration to-dy the bill introduced at the last
session by senator Miller (Californa) "to auth
orize the Southern Pacific Railroad Company and
other railroad companies 10 unite and consolidate,
so as TO form continuous line OF railroad be-
tween the tidal waters of the Atlantic and Pacific
oceans Two or three other bills bear
Ing upon the same subject have heretofore
BEEN referred to the committee and to-day a SUBJ
committee was appointed consisting OF senators
Sawyer. SAUNDERS, Williams, Brown and Sewell,
to whom the whole matter was referred, with IT.
structiOns to .repare bill authorizing such con-
solidation. One point under discussion this morn,
Ing and upon which the committee were agreed
Is that the government, In the event OF
sucn cons idation, shall reserve the right
to fix the maximum rate to be charged
by the road for passenger and freight Transports
ton. The bill Will also contain provision for
bidding the consolidation OF paralel or competing
inc NJ r1,1rn a6 hot fINn Danf6 flo &
posts on the Gulf Of Mexico or Mississippi river,
and further rrOy!So as n condition precedent 10
consolidation. that the assent of the stocSholders
representing not less than three-fOurthS OF the
amount of stock shall be obtained.
INTERNAL REVENUE TAX
Mr.. Scales introduced a resolution in the House
yesterday directing the committee on ways and
means to inquire into the cXpediency OF so amend
Ing the internal revenue laws as not only to abol-
ish the tax on tobacco, but also on all brandes
made OF apples, peaches and grapes ard to re-
dUce the tax WHISKY to fifty cents g; lion;
ard further, to inquire into the proprety or abel
fishing the present complicated, expensive and
Odious system Of collecting said tax.
PRIVATE ELL
Mr.. German to-day Introduced bill, author'Z-
Ing the District Commissioner to place upon the
tax records of the District assessments, two Ger
tificate5 issued to Henry Birch, contractor, fer
certain special improvements made In front OF
square l55, during 1871. aud that drawbacks be is
sued TO Caroline T. Bancroft, holder Of said Ger
shall be receivable for taxes etc., due before July
Is, 1877. Referred to District committee.
AFTER THE LOTTERY COMPANY.
Gen. Bingham, charm IN OF the House commit
tee on the post offi:e and post roads, has for
warded request TO the Postm tSter General for
copies OF ali correspondence no." on the flies OF
the department concerning the question Of the
delivery OF the louisiana Lottery Company or It's
agents of money orders and registered mail
matter.
THE GARFIELD BILLS.
Mr.. Neal offered resolution in the House yes
terday tnstructng the Garfield board OF audit to
report 20 the House a schedule of all the claims
presented to and allowed by it. Adopted.
WAR DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES.
An executive communication was yesterday laid
before the Senate from the Secretary of War,
transmitting, In accordance with law, the names
OF clerks and other persons employed In the War
department from December 1, 1881, to November
80. 1882 The Secretary says in regard TO the en-
plOyeS of his office: "They have all been uSefully
employed, and the services OF none OF them can be
dispensed with without detrimPnt to the public
service. The removal OF any individuals and the
appointment nf others in their stead IS not re-
qufred for the better dispatch OF business"
THE HOUSE MILITARY COMMITTEE
talk OF putting provision in the army appropria-
ton bill to require officers of the army to be
assigned to duty in keeping with their real rank
and not with their brevet rank. There are several
brigadier generals who are holding commands as
major generals, to which latter rank they are
breyeted. The proposition would send them
back step. Another proposition is to require
that aides on staff duty shall serve only three
years on such duty, after which they must return
to their commands.
Minister Hamiin Come Home to Stay.
A public reception Was given to Hon. Hannibal
Hamiin, minister for Spain, at Bangor, Maine. In
returning thanks Mr. Hamlin said he had come