Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-01-04
Tn c Country's Crops.

HI etOunury's crops.
The statisticisn of the agricultural depart
ment has completed preliminary estimates Of
the principal crops of the country for the
year. They show that potatoes, as well al
all other roots, and oats have grown luxuri
antly and yielded abundantly. The average
yield OF corn per acre is nearly 90 Bushels
IL per cent less than the average. The uual.
itY OF the corn north of the 40h parable
however is worse than for many years. The
wheat crop is slightly in excess of 400, 900,
600 bushels and the cotton product about
5000, 900 bales
The suits for libel and SANDER aggregatinp
over $500, 600 against several city newspa.
pers and correspondents instituted by N. w.
Fitzgerald, former pension agent. were all
dismissed to-day on motion of the plaintiffs
counsel.
morrison Confident that He Can Carry
the Tariff Bill In the House.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Dec. 2S-AIr. Nor.
rison said to-day that there were probably 40
democrats whowould net with the Republican
protectionists on the tariff question. He said he
could carry his bill without them. He un-
derstood that Randall was preparing his ap-
preparation bills, and would attempt to rush
them through and crowd out other legislation.
But" he concluded, Randall should re.
member | am no spring chicken" Mr. Nor
rlson will have his tariff bill ready for intro
ductlon in the House soon after the HOLIDAYS.
lie says 1t will be a moderate bill, not a COPY
OF the ono he presented in 1876 because con
dltions have changed since then, but q meas
ure which will provide for much lower duties
than are at present imposed. We want to
reduce taxes and cut down the revenue and
that will be accomplished in any bill the COM
mttee may report He says he and Mr..
Carlisle are agreed that it would he
unwise, at the present session. to attempt to
put sugar on the free list. Considerable re
ducton of the rates on sugar will, however
be recommended
a Naval Commanders Duty
The secretary of the navy has disapproved
the findings of the court martial in the case
OF Capt. A. w. johnson, who was acquitted
OF the charges of culpable negligence and in
efficiency in the performance of duty. In a
general order in regard to the case the sccre-
tary says: Notwithstanding the number,
rank and experience of the officers comprs-
ing the court, the department does not accent
their lenlent Judgment US a correct measure
OF the duty OF commanding officer. Great
er diligence to avoid impending collisions, I'M
der circumstances no mole difficult than those
which appear in this case, must hereafter be
exercised and commanding officers will be
held to the strictest responsibility in every
case which may unfortunately occur.
Mississippi River Expenditures.
The report of the Mississippi river COM
mission, submitted to the secretary of war to-
day, recommends an appropriation of $1l,
100000 for thorough levee system TO pro-
tect the low lands from periodically recurring
floods. Gen. G. b. Comstock in q minority
report says this sum is altogether too small
for the purpose. The report besides asks
Tor an appropriation of S4S75, 600 for the
coming year for the regular work of the com.
mission in improving the Mississippi river
Thirteen hundred men engaged on gov
eminent works at Wilson's Point Miss,
will be discharged within week, the appro-
priation being exhausted
Death OfGen. Humphreys.
Gen. Humphreys died last night He WAS
out for walk yesterday and again last even.
ing When the family retired at o'clock
Gen. Humphreys was left sitting alone in
the parlor. servant saw him there at half
past and noticed nothing wrong but at II
another servant sent to the parlor found him
sitting in chair dead.
National Omcers' Conduct in Texa.
1t is stated that Congressman Hurd of
Ohio will introduce in the House immediate.
ly after the recess, resolutions calling for
committee to investigate the conduct of
Brewster Cameron, Joel w. Bowman and 2.
l.. Tidball, connected with the department
OF justice in Texas, against whom specific
charges have been prepared and will be pre-
sented at the same time. Tidbal is now
United States marshal Of Arizona. This ac.
ton is said to be ins,gated by A. B. Norton
ex-United States marshal of Texas Hurd,s
uncle
Forfeited Railroad Lands.
WAsHINGToN, d. c., Dec. 31-The com.
mlttee on public lands expect to report
number OF separate bills when Congress re
convenes declaring forfeited lands that have
been granted to certain railroad companies
The companies most interested are in the
Northwest and South. The amount of land
involved is reported by the chairman of the
committe, Mr.. Cobb, as between 80 and tO0
i is expected will be reported as forfeited
This grant alone involves IA 900 900 acres.
Presidential Succession RuI
Representative McCoid of Iowa intends TO
urge the consideration at an early date Of his
Dill to provide for the election Of President
and President for the unexpired term
in case OF removal by death, or resignation
or inability or both of the President end
Vice-President and declare the officer that
shall be acting president ad interim. The hin
introduced December 10 was referred IN the
committee on judiciary, of which Mr. Me-.
Cold is member. The measure nrovides
that the electors appointed by each S,ate
for the election of President and VIC
President hold their trusts as such electoro
and constitute college of electors for their
respective States for the Presidential term Of
Tour years, with power to fill vacancies. Tn
case OF the removal of President and Vice
99lesluenI from any cause the secretary of
OF the Office of president ad interin
and shall Immediately issue n nro. |
clamation declaring vacancy to have Or
curIeu ana appointing day not less thar
" Gays thereafter upon which the college of
electors snail meet for the election of Pres. |
oent and Vice-President for the unexpired
term. The bill further provides that the
same course OF procedure shall be followed
winch under the constitution would be fol |
! !owea IN an ordinary year for the Presiden. |
LA elec,ion, except that the counting of the
electoral vote shall take place upon The sac'
ond Tuesday after the meeting and organiza'
uon OF the next succeeding regular session Of
congress, unless Congress shall be in session
when such election occurs, when such CONT
ing shall take place upon the eighth Tuesday
after such election. Mr.. McCoid in snnnor,
OF his bill says it carries out the idea 81 ths
trainers OF the constitution and insnres Snr