The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-03-27

Aus sfahite iuf tne washington monument
Were opened at the War Department today.
The Bodwell Granite Company bid 65 cents
per cubic foot, the Hurricane Island Company
5l cents, and the Mount Waldo Company 06
cents Other companies ontside OF Maine bid
higher.
Sergeant Mason Sued by His Lawyer.
Jonathan G. Bigelow of this city, counsel
for Sergeant Mason, while he was ION trial be-
fore the court martial for shooting at Guiteau
IN the District jail, today filed suit against
Mason, his wife Betty, and the banking house
OF Riggs y Co., for $3.50 alleged due as coun-
sell fees.
Public Printing.
During the last seventy working days the
government printer has delivered from his
office the vest number Of 42,17i.Si4 copies of
various publications counting in Congressional
work and blank books for the department,
making an average of nearly 100000 copies for
each day.
Fraudulent Concerns.
The Postofiice Department today declared
the Carbon Chemical at Brattleboro, VT, and
the Paris Glove Agency, No. IL Union Square
fraudulent concerns and postmasters will be
directed to discontinue the delivery to these
firms of money orders or registered letters.
The Civil Service Commission.
The Civil Service Commissioners have ad-
vanced so far as to appoint messenger, a white
native of the District. No progress has been
made in framing the rules or in preparing for
the appointment of the examining boards in
the different cities, where there are fifty-clerk
offices. The friends of women will present
problem for the early consideration OF the COM
mission. IL Is that the civil service law makes
no distinction as TO sex, and that If women can
pass the competitive tests they must be placed
upon the eligible lists for appointment To
this time women have not been admitted TO
highest grades in the departments, no matter
how good ap examination they have passed.
They have been generally appointed to places
10 which no higher salaries are attached than
those which are paid so many superfuous col
ored messengers-places worth seventy. five
dollars per month. In the entire service il Ia
said that shere are no more than twelve wom-
en- who receive Sl6C0 salaries. The ordinary
maximum is $1,000 If the law is based upon
merit the women claim that the commissioners
cannot avoid their demand.
Further Indictments Against Brady and
Kellogg.
There seem to be no doubt there has been a
hearing OF the charge Of conspiracy against
Thomas j. Brady and ex-senator kellogg in
connection with certain southwestern star
routes. 1t is asserted positively that the grand
Jury has already agreed upon a presenment
aud that it will be returned to Court fo.mor.
row or next day.
Prepayment OF Called Bonds.
Assistant Secsetary French denies that he
has said that he will anticipate the payment
OF any OF the called bonds aud that he chooses
TO make public his own DESIGNS in his own
way. Still, curious people win do the best
they can to ascertain the condition of the
Treasury, and it Is quite certain that those
who are in position to know as much about
the details OF the Treasury as Judge French
himself are OF the opinion that there will be
no anticipation OF the general bond call. How
ever, that does not prove that there will not
be, and Judge French having denied the
sfafnFTpnt Onuar2liv atfrfhnfad IN him by
those who ought - know his purpc-es. IL
might be that he viii think il wise to antici-
pate this payment. III the Treasury is not In
condition 10 do this many of Judge Folger's
calculations have been wrong. He anticipated
calls last year, when his revenue was below
the 40 per cent. which custom has prescribed
for the redemption q the legal tenders, but
his reserve now is said to DO very near the 10
per cent. for the first time for some months.
The Bank Tax Question.
The Attorney General is investigating the
question whether the banks are required to
pay any tax except the tax on circulation un-
der the new law, after January LIST. The
Comptroller of the Currency Is understood TO
hold the opinion that there is no tax s'due and
payable" after January LIST. The First Comp
troller OF the Treasury, Judge Lawrence IS
also quoted as having said that no tax was
'idue or payable" after that date, but he has
since withheld his views. The decision of the
Attorney General is expected during this
week.
Secretary Folger Better.
Secretary Folger had good rest last night
and was feeling tstter this morning than for
several days past. The Inflammation Of the
face and scalp is gradually disappearing, and
Is now almost entirely gone. His friends are
very much encouraged.
Alabama Claims Court.
In the Court OF Commissioners Of Alabama
Claims today the following orders were passed
by the court:
Ordered, That on Wednesday, the second
day Of May next, In the evening, the court will
hear any arguments which counsel may desire
then to present involving the question of
the right of British subject to recover In this
court.
Ordered, That all motions u amend shall be
In writing and fled with the clerk in tho re-
spective cases to which they apply and notice
thereof accompanied by copy Of the proposed
amendment shall be given to the counsel OF
the United States at the time OF filing the
same. Such motions will be disposed OF when
said cases are heard unless sooner called by
the agreement Of counsel or by direction Of the
court.
In case No. Gc1-Samuel l.. Bagdon vs..
United States-iudgment was rendered for
the claimant for S60l, with interest from May
5, 1864.
Court then adjourned to Wednesday, March
2Sth
The Acting Secretary of the Treasury has
received a lettsr from Mr.. Pratt, secretary OF
the National Distiliers' Association, In regard
to the proposed modification of the Canadian
regulation which prohibits the importation of
bonded whiskey in packages OF less than 1C0
gallons. Mr. Pratt makes q strong argument
In favor Of the proposed modification and
urges the department 10 take action In the
matter. The letter will be referred to the
Secretary OF State.
The Internal Reyenue Districts.
1t is not expected that anything will be done
In the matter Of the consolid alton Of internal
revenue districts until after the beginning OF
the new fiscal year Commissioner Raum
does not think that more than nineteen coll
lectorsbips could be abolished Others are Of
the opinion that tbiFty-six could be safely dis
continued, which was the number that the
House voted should be reduced. The point in
debate as to New England would be whether
the number OF collectors OF Massachusetts
should be reduced two or one.