The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-05-04
WASHINGTON.
Tha Tobacco Rahate.

WASHINGTON, May 3.--There is likely to be
some litigation after all over the claims for re-
bate under the new Internal revenue. Ii has
been customary during past years for all deal
ers and manufacturers TO do business for few
days after the first Of May without paying the
special tax. A clause in the new laws provided
that "persons who were dealers in tobacco,
cigars, &C., on the FIRST Of May, 1888, are en-
Titled 70 a rebate for the value OF stamps ON un-
broken packages held by them on that day,
provided their claims exceed Sl0." The IN
nal Revenue Collectors say that the law recog-
nizes as dealers only those who have paid the
special tax, and that those who had taken ad-
vantage OF the delay unusually given in pay
ing their taxes will not be recognized as deal
ers, and consequently are not entitled 70 the
rebate.
Ex-Commissioner Raum's Probable Sue
cessor.
The statement made In a dispatch from St.
Louis that ex-Commissioner Raum resigned on
the strength OF S200C9 retainer from the Lo-
rillards, has no foundation IN fact II Is quite
within the province OF reason to suppose that
the Lorillarde, who have heavy interests IN the
tobacco rebate, will put their business IN the
hands Of some competent man, and Mr.. Raum
will probably attend to their business along
with that of many other firms. The rumor
was based upon the barest speculation, II was
remarked. on inquiry, that neither party to
the snsaction-supposing it to be true-would
make the statement. IL Is said here to-day
that Acting Commissioner Rogers has the
strongest backing for the vacant Commission
ership Of any applicant. Judge Kelley of
Pennsylvania came here and worked all day
yesterday in bis interest, aud It would not be
surprising II he should receive the appoint
meut.
The New Postal Notes.
The new postal notes, which are TO have a
more distinctly MOI ey character than the pos
tai money orders, are TO be 81 inches long by
81 inches wide. with a stub 10 each note two
inches wide. 1t Is to be a steel plate engraving
IN The best style, and to be printed ia one color
on linen PAGER Of the best quality. The num-
her probably required Is stated at a. 40 books,
10 600 in case the contract Is awarded,
and So 900 when making the proposals.
Board OF Visitors TO West Point.
The President has appointed the following
members Of the board Of visitors 70 attend the
annual examination at the United States Mill
tary Academy at West Point next June: Rear
Admiral q. p. Rogers Bishop William j. Kip
OF California, Hon. J. n. Arnold Of Illinois,
Hon. b. q. Whitman of Nevada, Howard
Patten Of New York, Hon. Asa French OF
Massachusetts, and Colonel S. NJ. Dayton Of
Ohio.
The other distinguished members Of the
board are Senators Angns Cameron Of Wis
consin and /. G.. Harris of Tennessee, and
Representatives G.. w. Steele of Indiana,
Amos Townsend OF Ohio and William Shanks
of Illinois.
Engineers ia the Revenue Service.
The Attorney General has given the opinion
that the appointment Of assistant engineers In
the revenue marine service Il vested In the
President and not in the Secretary OF the
Treasury, and that such appointments are sub
iect 70 confirmation by the Senate. This de-
cision will have the effect OF placing assistant
engineers in the revenue marine service upon
the same footing as commissioned officers in
that service. In accordance with this opinion
the President has made the following appoint
menss: Horace @. Whitworth Frank b RAN
dall, first assistant engineers; Daniel j. Gross,
Paul Barnes. s. b. McLinegan, Charles II
Nash, E. A. Jack, second assistant engineers.
The Civil Service Rules.
Late this afternoon Civil Service Commits
siuners Eaton and Gregory called at the Post
office Department and held long consultation
with Postmaster General Gresham respecting
the civil service rules.
The Electric Light for Lighthouses.
The lighthouse board has decided to pur-
chase first order lens for an electric light and
10 institute series Of experiments with
view OF determining the value OF various
kinds OF electric lights for lighthouse pur-
poses.
Attorney General Brewster Well Again.
Attorney General Brewster has recovered
from his recent indisposition, reports of which
were greatly exaggerated.
The Pacific Railroad Companies.
An important question concerning payment 8
to The Pacific Railroad Companies for govern
ment transportation Is now before the First
Comptroller OF the Treasury, and decision is
expected az an early day. The question is
whether the earnings for such transportation
on unsubsizdized lines, leased and operated By
the Pacific Railroad Companies, can be with
held (as is now the practice of the Treasury
Department. or whether the amounts shall be
| paid to the companies In cash. The Attorney
| General has given an opinion that the portion
| OF their earnings derived from government
| transportation on tho unsubsidized leased
| lines must be paid in cash and cannot legally
be withheld. The question at issue involves o
| LARGE aum OF mtney