The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1883-08-24

"a nIaiui oSsuI0u uUpavCv oAcccus an wcIKnS
the leaf used by an average of 8 per cent.
The fine-cut chewing and damp snuffs are
responsible tor the major part OF this ex-
cess.
Attorney General Brewster recently de-
cided that the intent must govern each case
In the importation Of whisky, and that such
American product as was sent abroad to be
returned for new term In bonded ware
house must pay customs duties. The dis
tillers say they will be content to send
spirits abroad and sell them IL they can, il
not, they ask the right to bring home their
goods. Shout ID the attorney general decide
against this plan, appeals will be taken to
the courts, and congress will be asked for
relief.
OUTPUT OF SILVER DOLLARS.
The total output of standard silver dol
lars for the year 1888 will, it Is estimated,
reach $4,000, 900. This amount exceeds
the figures of last year by about So, $50, 600.
The distribution OF silver dollars last year
was; From Pohhiilsasdelphia, ss,osS, SOS; San
Orleans, So, 1903, S37. The director of the
mint estimates that the amount distributed
from New Orleans this year will aggregate
between 10000 and IS, Co., 900. The in
creased outgo from Philadelphia will per-
haps amount to 81, Zoo, 000. At Carson and
San Francisco no great excess over last
year Is expected. In the opinion of mint
officials, based upon previous experience,
only about % per cent. of the amount will
remain in circulation. The balance will
probably return to the vaults in exchange
for certificates.
EAToN's DECISION.
Mr.. Eaton, president of the civil-services
commission, had q conference with the act
ing secretary of the treasury Wednesday in
regard to the right of the latter to make
certain promotions in the treasury depart
ment under the civil-service commission.
lnasmuch as they had not yet prepared
suitable regulations covering this subject,
and as such regulations would not be en-
forced until they should receive the APP
prevail OF the president, Eaton held that the
department was at liberty to make all ne
cessary, promotions at once, under the regu-
a few vacancies In the treasury department
to be filled by promotion, and action upon
these will be taken in day or two.
SCARCITY OF CURRENCY.
Owing to the demand for currency from
the south and west, Treasurer Wyman has
issued the following notice in regard to the
issue OF silver certificates upon receipt by
the treasurer of the original certificate
issued by the assistant treasurer of the
United States at New York: THAT there
be deposited with him gold coin in the sum
OF $500 or any multiple thereof, when pay
ment of the like amount in silver certifi-
Gates will be forwarded by express by such
by the depositor at the expense of con-
signee. Silver certificates will be furnish
ed in exchange for gold coin by any assis-
tant treasurer of the United States.
UNDER INVESTIGATION.
The recent scandals with which high de-
partment clerks have been connected in the
public prints excite considerable attention
here. These cases are now under investi-
cation. General HaZen, Third Assistant
Postmaster General, said to-day that no
charges had as yet been filed against Hus-
band, and that from what could be learned
Captain Webster is an irresponsible party
and was either drunk or crazy when he
made his sensational attempt to shoot Hus-
band in the Postoffice building. This APP
pears to be borne out in Webster's descent
upon the Patent Office building, where he
was arrested for acting in an excited man.
ner and threatening to kill somebody for
the seduction of his supplemented sister.
General HaZen says Husband is a good
clerk and has the reputation of being an
honorable gentleman. The case of Major
Evans is likely to result in his dismissal.
Assistant Secretary French, of the Treas
ury department, has the matter under con-
sideration.
RIVERS AND HARBoRs.
The reports of river and harbor improve
ments have all been received in full by the
Engineer Bureau of the War Department.
The amounts which 1t has been estimated
can be properly expended during the fiscal
year ending July l, 1885, aggregate between
$50, 900, 600 and $50, COO 900. Last year the
amount asked for was S33,0y0,000 During
the year just closed several works of i'm
provement have been completed, while
others have reached that stage where in
creased expenditures are rendered neceS-
sary In order to protect what had been
done and prosecute work to the greatest
advantage. In his report to the Secretary
nf 10 hot
Wright will simply transmit copies of the
several reports of the officers in charge Of
works, with general Endorsement of the
contents. The law gives him no discretion
airy power to cut down estimates or increase
them, but only furnish Congress with GER
tain facts and the amount determined upon
by those in immediate charge that can prof
itably be expended during the coming fis-
cal year. The statement that he would cur
tail the amounts in several instances is
pronounced by General Parke, the acting
Chief of the Engineer Corps, as ridiculous.
BIG SURPLUS IN THE TREASURY.
The operations of the new tariff law have
not been In force long enough to discover
whether 1t will really reduce or increase
the revenues of the government. Pending
its confederation in the House more than
one discreet legislator predicted that the
law would not, ii at all, appreciably cur
tail the revenues. The outlook Is that
when all the books are balanced there will
be an enormous surplus in the Treasury
over and above the ordinary expenditures,
and in view of the limited option the United
States has of its debts 1t will again be a
problem which will confront Congress as to
what disposition should be made of the
accumulation. Doubtless the President,
in his annual message, will renew his recon-
mendation to abolish all internal duties
save on distilled spirits. There will be a
strong faction In the House of Representa-
tives who will work in and out of season to
abolish the entire revenue system, and thus
wipe out the army of paid retainers in the
Internal Revenue service. This effort will
no doubt fail, because 1t is not believed
that either the distilling or tobacco inter-
ests want free trade in their business,
through the fear that the thousands of
small dealers would engage therein, who,
under the present law, have not the means
to pay the tax.
THE TOBACCO TAX.
The tobacco decision Of the Internal Rev.
enue Bureau has made several decisions
lately of public interest In regard to the
sale Of tobacco and cigars. A dealer who
does business on fair grounds must have