The Portland daily press., 1883-03-20
WASHINGTON.

The President Not Going to Fortress
Monroe.
WASHINGTON. March 10 The President has
abandoned his proposed trip TO Fortress Mon
roe and will instead move to his summer resi-
dence at the Soldiers Home in few days.
Secretary Folger Gone on Sea Voyage.
Secretary Folger left here very quietly Sat
urday afternoon, embarking at Baltimore on
a revenue cutter for slight sea voyage
The Commander of the Ashuelot Court
Martialed.
The report of the loss of the steamer Ashue-
lot has not been made public but is of such
character that Secretary Chandler has ordered
a court martial at San Francisco, to try Com
mander Horace E. Mutton who was in COM
mand when she was wrecked.
Miscellaneous.
There will be no anticipation of the 12Oth
call at present.
The anticipation of interest due on 4 per
cents. of April 1st., was considered at the
Treasury to-day, but it was found that checks
cannot be ready before the 18th or later.
Yellowstone Park.
Secretary Teller has requested the Secretary
OF War to detail military guard for the pro-
lection of Yellowstone Park property. Secre-
tary Lincoln has promised to comply with the
request.
Contribution for the Flood Sufferers.
President Arthur received q letter enclosing
contribution of 1000 marks from a number Of
prominent bankers of Berlin for the relief OF
flood sufferers in this country.
Sergeant Mason's Case.
The War Department occasionally receives
petitions for the discharge of Sergeant Mason,
but nothing hes as yet been done about it, and
the President, SO far as can be learned, has
taken no steps toward executive clemency
to relieve him from the eight years of impris-
onment.
Civil Service Matters.
The civil service commission is at work to-
day upon the rules which are to guide them in
their labors. Mr.. Eaton said this morning that
it would probably be ten days before the rules
will be ready for the President. Until that is
done the commission will not try to do anyth-
ing else.
The Tobacco Tax.
Tobacco men are focking into the CITY to
consult with Commissioner Raum as to the
construction that will be placed upon the re-
bate clause of the internal revenue bill. Thus
far Raum is able to give them but little infor-
nation.
Perplexities of the Tariff Law.
The executive officers, whose duty it is to
construe the tariff act, almost daily find new
difficulties. The language of the act declares
that the new law is to be a substitute for title
33 OF the Revised Statutes, hich contains the
principal part of the provisions of the old law.
Ihe new law does not anywhere in terms land
some OF the executive officers think not by in
direction) repeal or modify the acts of February
and March 3, 1875, which imposes different
rates OF duty; yet the new law does provide
that if two or more rates of duty shall be found
applicable to any important article, that article
shall be classified for duty under the highest of
snch rates. The executive officers are not clear
yet whether the laws of Feb. and March 8.
1875, are repealed or in force. If they are in
force otter July next, there will be two sched-
ules of duty on many articles.
Another Dividend ito the Freedman's
Bank Depositors.
Comptroller Knox will shortly pay to the de.
positors OF the Freedman's Bank another and
hnal dividend OF per cent. out of the remain
ing assets of the insolvent corporation. Div;.
dends amounting in the aggregate to 65 per
cent. have already been paid.