Morning journal and courier., 1883-01-09
News by Telegraph
 FROM ALL QUARTERS. POSTAL TBLBGRAPHY. A Move Towards Securing
 Its Advantages. ELECTRIC LIGHT FOR HELL GATE. The Project Postponed Until After Winter. The Loss of the Brussels. Further Particulars of the
 Vessels Sinking.
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.

Postal Teiegraphy-A Bill to Secure its
 Advantages-The Electric Light For
 Hell Gate-SlOVv Progress by the Tariff
 RevIsers-Other Matters.
 WASHINGTON, Jan. 8.-The most important bill introduced in the House to-day was by MT. Anderson, of Kansas, an anti-monopo- list, to establish government postal tele- graph. The bili provides for issuing bonds for 5000, GOO, redeemable in twenty years and payable in thirty years at three per cent, $500, GOO to be retained each year to be ap- piled to the redemption of bonds. The main line is to extend from Portland, Me-, to To. peka, Kan, with branches to all points which it may be deemed advisable to reach. Offices are at first to be established only in carrier postofices, and then, if considered feasible by the Postmaster General, in smaller offices, with the proviso that if the receipts are insufficient to meet the expendi lures, the postmaster at the office where the deficiency occurs shall make good the def. ciency. The uniform rate of twenty five cents for ten words will be the. tariff, unless the Postmaster General, because of competi- ton or other causes, shall deem it advisable to reduce the rate. The Postmaster General is further authorized to withhold part of the bonds from the market for five years in or- der that they may be sold to pay the interest on those sold if the receipts during that pe- riod are not sufficient to pay said interest The bill is designed to establish postal tele- graph system similar to that of England with out the expenditure of single dollar by the government of the United States, and it is be lieved by the framer that long before the ex- piration of the thirty years ten cent rate of tariff will be the rule all over the United States.
 It has been finally determined that the work of constructing the iron electric light tower at Hell Gate, New York harbor, will not be commenced until spring. Meantime the work can begin promptly. It is proposed also to experiment as to how far the light can be seen when erected.
 The Ways and Means committee made little progress to-day in the revision of the tariff report. They have been on the schedule of chemicals and discussing many amendments. MT. Carlisle, a member of the committee, stated that unless progress is made more rap- idly than has characterized to days work all or most of this week will be consumed in the revision of the report.
 Judge Shell delivered an elaborate opinion
  After reviewing the evidence at length, he concluded that the reading by Bowen of a letter in the jury room was violation of section ,404 of the revised statutes and held the defendant in $2, 500 bail for the action of the grand jury. Messrs. E. E. White and James l.. Barbour were accepted as bonds men.
 In reply to circular letters sent out by Third Assistant Postmaster General Hagen returns have been received showing the postal receipts at eighty-nine of the 138 let ter carrier offices for the six months ending December 31 as compared with the core spending six months of the previous year. These eighty nine offices are the principal ones and represent 3s per cent of the ag- gregate postal revenue. They show an in- crease of 10.4 per cent over the same six months of the previous year. The increase at New York was only 6.27 per cent. Ex- cluding this office the increase at the remain ing office was at the rate of 12 per cent. The auditor has nearly completed the adjustment of the accounts from the postofices for the quarter ended September 30, 1882, and the result shows an increase of II per cent. over the same quarter of the previous year The 1 indications are therefore that the receipts between Il and 12 per cent. over last year. If this rate should be maintained the revenue 9 for the next fiscal year will be at least $1,0OO, 900 more than the amount stated ln the estimates submitted to Congress. These estimates, as l well as all the calculations upon the loss from reduction of letter postage from three to l two cents, were based upon an annual in crease of 10 per cent. in the postal revenue. Hence the loss by that reduction is not likely to be as great as was originally estimated. The highest increase was at Rochester, which was 38 9, and there was decrease at eight offices Leadville, Gel showing falling off of 2O.4 per cent. The increase at several of the principal offices are: Philadelphia 9.3 per 1 cent; Chicago, 15.1; Boston, 9.26; Balti- more, S.s; Buffalo, 21.4 Detroit, 6; Al bany, 15.3 Indianapolis, 16.1.
 It is rumored tonight that the President will send to the Senate in few days nomin- ations for important federal offices in New York.
 The report circulated here today and re- vived tonight to the effect that Captain Howgate is in the city is discredited in cir cles usually well informed. Government officials express the belief that he will not voluntarily return to Washington.