The Portland daily press., 1883-05-08
WASHINGTON.

Dismissal of the Howgate Attachment.
WASHINGTON, May The Supreme court
OF the District of Columbia in banc through
Chief Justice Cartier to-day delivered q deci-
sion in two Of the Howgate cases. In the frst
case, where the property has been attached py
the government the court decided adversely
to the government and dismissed the attach
ment. The second case was an appeal from an
adverse decision OF the lower court where the
defendant had resisted attachment OF his pro-
perty by the government because the action
had been brought by special counsel instead OF
the United States district attorney. The ap-
peal was dismissed.
The President Displeased.
The premature publication OF the new civil
service reform rules has dspleased the Presl-
dent very much. To make them public while
they were yet supposed to be cabinet secret
is a serious breach of courtesy on some ones
part, and the President Is disposed 10 resent IT,
Only a few copies were made, and the cabinet
account for theirs 1t Is therefore supposed
that they leaked ont through the carelessness
OF the commission and they have been asked
20 explain. They cannot do it, but II Is GER
tain that they were not at fault except so far as
their subordinates may have been culpable.
Collection of Bank Taxes.
The failure OF the department of justice TO
give an opinion relative to the operation OF the
new tariff lew affecting bank taxes Is embar-
RAISING 10 the treasury officials. They are,
matter. All except savings banks pay their
taxes through the collectors OF internal re-
venue. Acting Commissioner Rodgers has in-
structed them not TO collect any taxes on May
3lst unless they receive supplemental orders
hereafter. This indicates that the attorney
generals opinion Is expected to affirm the ex-
emption OF the banks from any taxation ex-
cept on circulation subsequent to their last
semi-annuai payment.
New Metal for Telegraph Wire.
]. Edwin Sherman, metallnrgist OF Boston,
has Just concluded here aserles OF experiments
upon the new metal recently discovered by
him, with a view to ascertaining Its fitness as
compared with other metals for telegraph wire.
The experiments, 1t Ia said, shows that
wire made Of this metal has great tenacity,
does not rust, and Is superior In conductiyity
20 any wire now used for electrical purposes.
The metal, which has nearly the specific
gravity and somewhat the appearance OF silver,
can be produced II is said, at a cost OF B Genus
q pound.
Decision OF Celebrated Case.
decision was rendered IN the United
States Supreme Court to-day in the so-called
Granger case of Neal Ruggles against Pee
pie OF Illinois, that the directors of rail-
road company cannot adopt any bylaw fix
ing the laws OF fare and freight which are in
conflict with the laws OF a State relating TO the
same subject
The Hill investigation.
MIR. Murch had an interview with Assistant
Secretary Nes to-day in reference to insesti-
CATION OF the affairs OF the supervising
architects office. He informed Mr.. New thai
he proposed to proceed with the investigation
SO lar as he was concerned as soon as he could
get his papers IN shape and prepare bis case for
presentation to the committee. He hoped TO
be able to accomplish this In about we elk.
Mr.. New says that the committee are waiting
solely upon dr. Murch and that the inyestiga-
tion VIII be proceeded with as soon as that
gentleman Is ready.
Decision in q Patent Case.
A decision was rendered by the United
States supreme Court to-day In the patent
case OF Robert L. Downton appellant against
Yeager Milling Company. The court holds
that the patent Is void for want OF novelty, the
process which appellant claims as his inven-
tion having been clearly described as early as
lS41 in publication called "Anglo Day
American aud Swiss Science Milling by
Christian Wilhelm Frifzch OF Leipsic The
court has adjourned for the term
Alabama Claims.
A new docket of the Alabama Claims Court
has Just been issued. It shows a list OF $40
cases, calling for Si0,520, ,503, to satisfy claims
OF the first class. and SIT 54i 493 OF the second
class About S9s50o,C coo is in the treasury 70
pay them. A year of work has disposed OF l05
cases, and at the present rate it will take about
fiity-hve years to settle up the whole.
No Report from General Crook.
The War Department has received no fur
ther information from General Crook relative
10 his movements in Mexico. No report of his
operations against the Indians is expected un-
I'll some decisive results have been obtained.
The New Civil Service Rules.
The civil service rules as revised by the Pres
ideBt and Cabinet were returned TO the ceryiI
service commission this afternoon for final
examination. The commissioners looked them
over and Supplied one or two words accidental
ly omitted from the text and this evenining
they were sent back to the White House for
the Presidents approval. Ii no further
changes are thought necessary it is probable
they will be approved tomorrow.