The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-07-04
opening 1t. twas rouno 10 contain sawaust.
ADJUSTING DIRECT TAXES.

ADJUSTING DIRECT TAXES.
Secretary Folger has sent to the house,
with his approval, an opinion given by Con-
troller Lawrence as to the equitable method
OF adjusting the matter OF payments for di-
rect taxes by part of the states. He recon-
mends that the sums paid by any of the
states be refunded to these states, and that
those which have heretofore failed to pay
be relieved from the obligation. In cases
eminent to meet these taxes, that the sums
realized at such sales be refunded to the
former owners OF the property. The secre-
tary adds similar Recommendation in re-
gard to the partial distribution of the sur
plus revenue under. the act of 1886. This
money. was to remain with the states subject
to call. The secretary recommends that
the sums heretofore paid to the states un
der this act be formally passed to their pos
session, and that those states which did not
receive the sum to which they were entitled
upon the passage OF that act be now paid
to them.
FRELINGHUYsEN's SCHEME.
The house appropriations committee held
a meeting Friday, at which Secretary FIRE.
linghuysen explained his scheme regarding
the Niearaguan Canal. 1t Is, in brief, to
buy from the present owners Of the Nicara-
guam Canal the concession of their rights
and obtain the renewal Of the same by
treaty. 1t Is understood that the De Les
seps people are watching for the expiration
OF the Nicaraguan concession in October
next, for the purpose of g0bbling IL up and
preventing the United States or any private
company getting In and constructing
canal. 1t is alleged here that they have al
ready captured the Eads scheme by some
means, and if they can scoop in the Mica
raguan they will thus control the canal bust
ness of the isthmus. Charles Colne, the
American secretary of the De Lesseps COM
pany here, is watching, the movement of
hearing Mr.. Frelinghuysen's statement,
agreed to recommend to the house to send
the matter to conference committee, and
that that committee would agree to the APP
preparation as made by the senate, and thus
probably be able to push 1t through the
house without discussion.
DESCRIPTIONS FROM THE ARMY.
The senate placed provision in the army
appropriation bill which, il permitted to re-
main, will go far toward removing the prin-
cipal cause of desertlon. The amendment
provides that enlisted men detailed for extra
duty as mechanics, clerks laborers, or
teamsters shall be paid for such extra duty
at the rate of 50 cents per day for mechan-
les, clerks, and schOol-teachers, and 35 cents
pay is In addition to pay proper as soldiers.
1t Is now the custom In the army to order
enlisted men to perform mechanical, cleric
al, and farm labor at frontier posts and allow
no auuitiOnai compensation Ior LABOR mus
imposed, and the result has been discomfort
and numerous assertions. Recently an or
der was forwarded to frontier post to have
enlisted men cut 400 cords of wood during
the present summer, and within two weeks
from the receipt of the order at the post
thirty-five men deserted. The officers of
the army have Away deprecated this policy
Offorcing soldiers to perform labor not con-
templated by the terms of their enlistment,
but the imposition has been necessary be-
cause congress has uniformly refused for
several years past to make appropriations
amendment appropriates $25O, 600 to pay for
such extra work in the future, and IL II be
retained in the bill there will be less deser
ton hereafter from the ranks Of the army