The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1883-09-07
WAsHINGTON.

- P.opdiihS totcsiSii anu enSdSo III Pii'oeo
business.
Mr.. Joslyn, the acting secretary Of the
interior. refuses to enforce the collection of
usurious contracts made by clerks with
money-lenders.
The internal revenue bureau computes
the annual reduction In taxes on tobacco
and cigars at 1885, 0O0, 900. The claims for
rebate aggregate $S,5cO,0OO.
It is understood that upon the return of
Secretary Folger, John 9: New will resign
the assistant secretaryship of the treasury
and give his whole time to his private bus
mess at Indianapolis.
1t is not certain how long President Ar
thur will remain In Washington after his
return on Friday. He had arranged to go
to Newport, and subsequently on q short
fishing excursion. He may have had travel
and recreation enough and want to settle
down to business.
The state department at Washington Is
surprised at the points made in favor of
+. M. Ker, the Chicago embeZZer, for re-
lease on q writ of habeas corpus. Assist
ant Secretary Hunter thinks no precedent
can be found to control the action of the
court in Chicago, on account OF the pecu-
liar condition OF Peru ut the time or the
capture of Ker.
The National Colored Convention, which
was called to meet at Louisville this month
to consolidate the coOred vote in the inter-
est of Arthur for 1884, will probably not
convene. All interest has died out There
has been so much opposition that the lead
ers have become disguised and have deter
mined to stay away. Reports from all parts
of the South state that the delegates elected
invariably decline to serve.
Some statements alleged to have been
made to President Arthur by Hon. Edward
Pierrepont, of the Utah Commission, so
astonished A. b: Carlton, another member,
that he has addressed Secretary Folger on
the subject. He claims that the board was
completely successful in excluding polyga-
mists from voting or holding Office, and
that ten MOrmons have sued the commits
sioners for using authority in excess OF that
granted by the Edmunds act
At the treasury department considerable
anxiety Is felt in regard to the United
States revenue steamer Manhattan, which
left Quebec August 25th for Eastport, Me.
Ii is feared she may have been caught by
the severe storm OF last Wednesday In the
Gulf of St. Lawrence. The anxiety Is
greater because the vessel is considered
not to have been in seaworthy condition,
as she was OH her way to PASSPORT for re-
pairs.
The Western Union Company has got
hold of fact which rather nettles the new
Postal Telegraph Company. The latter
company was anxious to get control of q
wire between Washington and Philadel
pha which was built Tor telephone pur-
poses. A premature publication of the
circumstance gives the Western Union
chance to stop the negotiations. on the
grounds that the franchise of the line was
granted for telephone purposes only.
Postmaster General Gresham, through
Assistant Attorney Generals Phillips and
Freeman, entered aplea of not guilty to the
suit of Nj. A. Dauphin, of the Louisiana
Lottery Company, for 100000 damages for
Hafa If oh N m
business. The plea sets out that the de-
PENDANT was not actuated by any malice,
and that his action was based upon facts
ascertained by Postmaster Key in his order
suspendng the delivery of registered let
tiers to Nj. A. Dauphin, and which order,
never having been revoked, he simply or
dered enforced as found in the records of
the postoffice department
A member of the Treasury COMMITTEES
which recently investigated the affairs of
Architect HIPS office states that the report
of the committee was ready to be submitted
to Secretary Folger upon his return. 1t Is
generally believed that the report will state
nality on the part of Architect Hill, the af-
fairs of his Office have not been conducted
on business principles, nor has he paid
sufficient attention to his duties. Mr.. Hill,
it is said, intends to resign under such a re;
port as this, but If the committee had de.
not have thought of resigning, but would
have held on and done all in his power to
prevent removal under cloud.
The law establishing postal notes of the
value of S. or less went into effect through
out the United States Monday. Each of
the $500 money-order offices have been
supplied with books containing postal
notes. New York received twenty books,
and the other offices from that number to
one book Each book contains 500 postal
notes. In addition to the notes each book
has been furnished with plyer punch and
blanks to be used in the business. A uni
form fee of three cents Is charged for each
note payable at the Office Of issue. The
Office at which the note Is made payable
must be selected by the sender and the note
is payable at that office only. Each note Is
payable to bearer, and in this respect the
note is in the nature of legal ten,.1r.
AS usual, the resignation of public Off
Ger gives rise to an interesting report. Per-
sons who claim to know all about the resig.
nation of Parker, Chief Of the Postofiice
inspectors, say he has nothing particular in
view when he talks of private business
Judge Gresham, they state, wants to make
q success of the other star route trials. He
thinks he will be better able to do this il he
gets rid of all the officials who ought to
have known something about the alleged
ring. Those officials, the Postmaster Gen
eral thinks, either ought to have known
Whdb WIS SOlllS OIL Ill " lTuuuul6uJ way VI
they were Incompetent public servants
This is not regarded as slur upon the etii-
cheney or integrity of Parker who Is ac-
llnowleged faithful, but as an effort to get
rid of the men who did not keep their eyes
wide open.
1t is said that there will be trouble when
congress meets over the plans of the Naval
Advisory Board for new cruisers. The
House Naval Committee wished to provide
for vessels that, under ordinary circum-
stances, would cruise under canvas and so
save a large consumption of coal-in other
words, sailing ships with auxiliary steam.
The board, however, drew up their plan
for steamships with auxiliary sails. The
officials of the Naval Department claim
that 1t would be difficult and expensive to
build war vessels which would be able to
steam at high rate of speed and also be
heavily spared. The plans were made out
accordingly. Whether John Roach has any
advantage in this deviation from the design
of the House Committee does not appear.
Taken in connection with Cramps charge
that the great ship-builder was favored in
the matter of getting contracts, and that
the vessels cannot be, built for the sum
agreed upon, it may strengthen the demand
for a searching investigation of the whole
subject.
a, - 4.