The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-02-07
WASHINGTON.
The Naval Appropriated BilI.

WASHINGTON, Feb 6.-The House commit
tee on appropriations expects to complete the
consideration OF the naval appropriation bill
tomorrow. The bill provides for an appropria-
ton of $l4 329 1885, being SIS, ,328, ,3O4 less than
the estimate, and 81, 1,565 ,238 less than the ap
preparation Tor the current year. A sufficient
amount has been agreed upon to complete the
four steel cruisers as proposed by the Secretary
OF the Navy, but nothing was given, however,
for the completion of the monitors, for which
about three and half million dollars were
askad- The nnrannitiee <aesisss 60 ls .I.< -~--Asa
committee act upon the recommendation which
1t sent to the appropriation committee for
reduction of the naval force.
Life saving Service.
Mr.. Long has introduced in the House bill
providing for the establishment of a life-Saving
st=tfon at Gay Head and Point Allerton, Mass
Also bill to promote the efficiency of the rev.
enue marine service, which provides for the
retirement of any officer of the revenue marine
service who shall be adjudged incapable of
performing the duties of the service, by board
consisting of not more than five nor less than
three members, to be appointed by the Secre-
tary OF the Treasury.
Canadian Reciprocity.
The question of Canadian reciprocity treaty
is under consideration by subcommittee of
the House committee on foreign affairs, con-
sistiDg of Messrs. Hit of Illinois and Perry
Belmont of New York. The subject matter
which has been referred to the committee is
not what has been generally supposed. For
instance the subcommittee has not jurisdiction
OF the general question whether or not it is ad-
visable to have any reciprocity treaty with
Canada, but whether or not the last recipro-
city treaty. which was abrogated at the instance
OF the United States government, shall be re-
vived.
Mr.. Hit is opposed to the revival of the old
treaty, recently anulled, and is of opinion that
the report made by Mr.. Rice of Massachusetts,
upon that subject in the Forty-Seventh Con-
gress has not been answered. Mr.. Belmont
has no special interest n that particular treaty,
although he undoubtedly does favor recipro.
city. The resolution, however, being restrict
ed to this particular treaty, it is very doubt
ful whether the committee will report in favor
of it.
BOston's Postmaster.
The President today sent to the Senate the
nomination of Edward S. Tobey to be post.
master at Boston.
Favorable Report ou the Hennepin Canal
Bill.
In the House committee on railways and
canals today, Representative Murphy was in
strncted to favorsbly report the bill for con-
struction of the Hennepin canal between Hen
nepn, Ill, and the Mississippi river, dis
tance of rs miles. The bill provides for an ap-
propriation of over one million dollars The
proposed canal is to have capacity for vessels
OF at least $50 tons.
Trade Dollars.
The withdrawal of the trade dollar was dis
cussed by the House committee on coinage
weights and measures today, and final action
was postponed until tomorrow. The proposed
measure provides that until Jan. 1, 1885, trade
dollars shall be received at fair value in pa,-
ment of all dues to the United States, and
shall not be again paid out or in other manner
reissued. Holders of the coin may receive in
exchange dollar for dollar any silver coin of
the United States on presentation of trade
dollar at the Office OF the treasurer or assistant
treasurer, or at any of the mints. The bill also
provides that the trade dollar shall be recoined
into any authorized coin of the government.
Representative Bland gave notice today that
he would insist upon an amendment providing
for the recoinage of the trade dollar into
standard dollars instead of any authorized
coins.
Poole VS.. Skinner.
The House committee on elections today fin
ally considered the North Carolina contest of
Poole VS.. Skinner, and by vote of against
decided to report Mr.. Skinner entitled to re-
tain the seat.
Miscellaneous.
The surgeon general of the marine hospital
service is informed that a small pox epidemic
is raging in Louisville, KY, and among the In
dians in the western part of Alaska.