The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-09-24
WASHINGTON.
Architect HiII,s Case.

WASHINGTON, Sept 22.-Mr. Hill has sub
mitred to Secretary Folger reply to the find
ing OF the committee which recently investigs-
ted the affairs of his office. In this reply MI
Hill criticizes severely the methods of proceed
ure during the investigation, and states that
during the whole period he was subjected to a
continual round of insults from the attorneys
OF the persons making the charges, and that he
became indifferent as to what the result OF the
investigation (which he characterizes as irreg-
ular and disorderly, might be. In the matter
of the 10 per cent. stone contracts, while adj
mitting the finding of the committee is consis-
tent with the evidence, he calls attention to
the fact that although the chief witness ad-
mitted his own peculation, the committee paid
no attention to the admission. Mr. Hill holds
that the charges OF official favoritism in deal
ing with Damon of Boston and Bartlett & Hay
wood of Baltimore are not borne out by the
facts, and he states that tho evidence proves
that in one case the contract was SO adyanta-
geouS to the Government that manufacturers
declined to enter into competition, while in
another INSTEAD Of, losing $4,000 he saved$
665, the full amount of the Difference between
the lowest bidders above, and that the work
was propefly performed.
The Counsry's Pension List.
The list of pensioners, which has been or
dered printed by Congress, will not be finished
for about two months. 1t will make about
four thousand octave pages. Pension Office
officials claim that there is a class of crooked
pension agents here, as well as elsewhere, who
are very anxious to get advance copies of the
book at any cost. They have already had pre-
pared circulars, which they will send broadcast
over the country as soon as they can get the
addresses of the pensioners, offering their SER
vices to secure an increase of pension. There
are many who are entitled to an increase, but
1t does not equal the number whose pensions
should be reduced or discontinued altogether,
for there are many drawing widows pensions
who have been remarked. though they keep
the fact of their marriage secret from the
Pension Office.
HemIock Bark and the Tariff.
1t has been decided by the customs division
OF the Treasury Department that hemlock
bark is not dutiable under the provision of the
tariff act which fixes rate of duty for ex-
tract of hemlock and other bark used for tan
ming, but is free of duty under provision in
the free list.
miscellaneous.
The temperance people will have something
to do In Washington next winter The District
Commissioners have issued nearly one thou
sand licenses to sell liquor. The attempt to
restrict the sale of liquor by the glass by in
creasing the license has not proved successful.
Post Office officials are very much annoved
at the ignorance manifested by Postmasters as
to the operations of the new two-cent postage
law. Circulars have repeatedly been sent to
all OF them, yet only yesterday Postmaster,
whose office is almost in sight of the Capitol,
inquired when the two-cent law would go into
effect.
An old army officer says there are more ca ses
OF army officers now pending before the War
Department, or in the hands of court martial,
in which the offenders are charged with
swindling by duplicating their pay accounts,
than at any time in the history of the arIny
excluding of course, during the war.
The Treasury Department has discovered
that it is easy to make it too disagreeable for
man to remain Supervising Architect of the
Treasury, but that it is more difficult to find d
competent successor. 1t is said that there has
not been as yet single applicant for the place
about to be vacated by Supervising Architect
Hill, while, on the other hand, one or two not
ed architects who have been requested to take
the position have declined.
John A. Walsh has discontinued his suit
here against Assistant Postmaster General
Brady for 5000 which he claims to have
loaned him. He proposes to continue pro-
ccedings in New York city, as he says he can.
not get justice in Washington court,
Precautions Against Castle Disease.
The Secretary of the Treasury has notified
the collector of customs at New York that in
view ef the alarming increase of foot and
mouth cattle disease in Great Britain the
customs officers should use the greatest care in
investigating the sanitary condition of all cat
tie, swine and goats imported into the United
States. An examination should be made i'm
mediately on their arrival in port. Although
the regulations of the cattle commission did
not require the quarantine of other animals
than neat cattle, If any imported should be
found diseased their owners should be prompt
ly notified and requested to allow the deten-
tion and quarantine of the infected animals.
Vacancies i'm the Treasury Departments.
The Secretary of the Treasury has made a
requisition on the Civil Service Commission
for names Of eligible male candidates to fill
three $1,000 vacancies in the Secretary's office
and $1,000 vacancy in the fourth auditors
office.