The Portland daily press., 1883-02-24
WASHINGTON.
The Mexican rraatu


WASHINGTON, Feb. 23.-The promoters of
the Mexican Treaty have their doubts whether
IL can be ratified. The recent indications are
that if there shall not be an Executive Session
OF the Senate the consideration of the subject
will be postponed until next winter. There is
no disposition to take time to discuss it in the
few days that remain OF this session. The
friends of the treaty fear to force it to q vote
at present, the opposition is SO formidable.
Very little has yet been beard from the manu-
facturers whom it is expected to benefit, but
some whose products have not been placed
upon the free list are dissatisfied and are dis
posed for that reason TO help to defeat it. Va
riouS suggestions have been made that the
treaty be amended IN some particulars. This
IS OF course impracticabe The project must
stand or fall as whole. The seale. manntac-
tureTs of Vermont have discovered that scales
are not on the free list.
Damage in the Mississippi River.
Murat Halstead telegraphs here from Cincin-
natl tbat,the people along the Mississippi River
interested in the continuance of Government
appropriations for Improvements are attempt
ing to conceal the extent of the damage from
the floods. He says that his advices are that
acres of the Reed mattresses which were so
much relied upon are floating down the Mis-
sissippi near Memphis, aud that very serious
damage has been done to the levees
Commander Gorringe's Resignation Ac-
cepted.
1t is stated at the navy department that the
resignation of Lieut.. Commander Henry H.
Gorringe has been accepted and that he is no
longer in the service.
The Firing on the Valencia.
The Secretary of State has received letter
from Capt. Hesse, commanding steamer Val
encia, corroborating the published account, of
the firing on that vessel in the Port OF Cura-
Goa. No informatian has yet been received
from the United States consul at Curacao who
was on the Valencia at the time of the occur
renee
The French Gable Company.
The speaker lad before the House today in
further response to. a resolution calling for in
formation in reference to the French Gable
company, letter from the president of the
company in Paris stating the company declines
to further disclose its affairs having complied
with all the conditions 1t agrees to convey
free all United States government messages.
The statement is made that the rates have been
reduced since the schedule was agreed upon at
the time the contracts were signed
The Presidency of the Senate.
David Daais says that he will retire from the
Presidency of the Senate at the close of the ses-
sion If the Republicans can agree upon his sue
cessor and an arrangement be made to continue
the present Senate officers.
The New Shipping Bill.
The Shipping bill, as reported to the Senate
by the Commerce Committee this morning diff
passed the House. The Cox section as to ship
ping commissioners is stricken out and section
inserted as to mali pay to ocean steamers This
section repealS the provision Of existing law
which compels American vessels to carry
mails for two cents letter, and authorizes the
Postmaster General to establish mail routes be-
tween such American ports as he may deem
proper, and to issue proposals for the carrying
of the mail TO the lowest bidders, owners Of
American vessels the aggregate payment not
to exceed one hundred and twelve millions an
nually
Important Land Decision.
The Secretary of the Interior iD a recent de-
cision holds that public lands that have been
settled upon in good faith should not be in
cluded within the limits of tracts withdrawn
by Executive order for Indian reservation pur-
poses, even though formal entry has not been
made prior to the withdrawal. This decision
is a practical reversal of decision by the At
torney General upon similar point made in
the year 1881.
Miscellaneous.
The House Post Office Committee have
agreed to favorably report Representative
Bingham's bill prohibiting the establishment
OF private Post Offices under penalty of
$5000.
The House Committee on Foreign Affairs
agreed this morning to report favorably resa-
luton offered by Mr.. Belmont of New York
asking further information concerning the i'm
nortation of sugar from the Sandwich Islands
whether or not frauds are practiced by the
trade, etc.
The President has approved the Japanese
Indemnity Fund bill.
The receipts from internal revenue today
were 1881 $50, and for customs 81, 1874 ,906.
The national bank notes received for redemp-
tion today amount to $515 600.