Morning journal and courier., 1882-12-19
News by Telegraph FROM ALL QUARTERS. Anxious For Work. The House Vote Against a
 Recessy One Thousand Houses Burned. A Carnival of Fires fza
 China. A Diet of Boiled SqaWeed. Awful Distress in the West of
 Ireland.
A Diet of Boiled SqaWeed,
THEE NATIONAL CAPITAL.

TiAe Star Route Trias-Mr. Bliss Con-
 tinues With His Arsument-Featur
 of the Army BilI-Other Matters of In-
 terest.
 WASHINGTON, Dec. 18.-In the Star route case to-day Judge Wylie overruled the mo- ton of the defense that it be furnished with copies of the daily record of the court. The judge then stated that the stenographers had charged higher rates than the law allowed, and they must either conform to the law in this respect or they would not be accommo- dated in this court. He gave them until Tuesday to decide the matter. MT. Bliss then continued his opening address. Mir. Bliss had not concluded his speech when the court adjourned. During the afternoon he sketched the part each defendant played in the conspiracy. He said Brady, if guilty was the most guilty of all, because he was 6 faithless officer Route fl ,119, from Toque- vile to Adairville, came in for large share of criticism Mir. Bliss alleging that it was increased from $3, 5O4 to 1920, 89O.22 An other route was increased from $2, 745 to $31, ,343.76 by various devices. The argu- ments will occupy the entire week.
 The President this afternoon sent to the Senate the name of John F. Olmstead to be commissioner of the District of Columbia to succeed Major Morgan.
 l.. Lum Smith, of Philadelphia, to-day pre- ferred charges with the Attorney General of the Postoffice department against twenty five publishing firms of Boston alleging the use of the mails for fraudulent purposes The department will look into the matter and if the charges are sustained will issue an order prohibiting payment of money orders and delivery of registered letters to the firms named.
 The District commissioners to-day ordered an investigation of the published charges af- fecting the integrity of the detective force of the city.
 The improvements at the White House were completed to-day and the mansion will be thrown open for inspection tomorrow.
 The House Appropriations committee this afternoon completed the army bill. It re- duces the appropriations about $1 ,6OO, 900 from those of last year, and the bill as 1t will be reported to the House tomorrow appro- priates $500, 775 less than the estimates. The total appropriation is $24, 100000. pro- vision of the bill retires officers at the rank they occupy at the time they are retired in- stead of at the time they are wounded. The provision providing for an increase of the standing army was rejected by the commit tee.
 There is much adverse criticism tonight among members of the House regarding the adoption of Robeson's resolution providing nnlQS h6mD0rS HoU II dCSeuG turing Luo period from December 23 to 31. It is asserted that standing rule provides that if members are in contempt it is in the discretion of the Speaker to inn pose fine of Ss1 to $1 ,OO0. Several mem bers purpose to test the question by absent ing themselves.
 Attorney Raul of New Orleans, who con- ducted Myra Clark Gaines suit in that city, was to-day awarded $1O, GOO for his services by Judge Hagner in the equity court. Mrs. Gaines resisted the claim excessive.
 Secretary Folger has given notice that in order to allow the preparation of schedules and interest checks for the payment of the di sidend due February 1st on the United States registered bonds of the acts of July 14, 1870, and January 20, 1871, continued at B per cent, and on the United States regis tered bonds of the per cent. leaa of 1881, the exchange of 33s into 3s will be suspended from December 30 until February 1, 1885. Between the above dates g bonds for ex- change will be received and filed in the order of their receipt, the exchange to be effected when the books are reopened February 1, 1883. Upon the resumption of exchange the interest of 33 bonds surrendered for exchange into 3s will cease, and the 3s issued therefor will bear interest from the same date. The books of the per cent. loan of 1882 will be closed during January, April, July and Octo Der of each year.