The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-08-07
Our Washington Letter,
Special to the Democratic Press:
WASHINGTON, July 81, 1884.
THE DISPOSITION OF THE RELIEF
VESSELS

THE DISPOSITION or THE RELIEF
VESSELS.
Now that the vessels composing the
Greedy relief expedition have accom-
plished the purpose for which they
were purchased, considerable interest
is manifested among naval officers to
have them retained in the naval ser.
vice for special work. The ALERT"
one of the three vessels, having been
presented to this Government by the
English Government, it is maintained
that the only proper disposition to
make of her would be to return her in
the same condition in which she was
received, with the thanks of the
American people. When the officers
of the relief expedition reach Wash
ington, where a large number of them
reside, a brilliant reception expected
Aside from its local Significance 1t will
commemorate an achievement that
has c. It lustre upon the American
Navy, The skill and courage exhibit
ed by Commander Schley and his men
will ever be remembered - one of the
glOries Of the Navy.
The "Thetis" and Bear" with
slight alterations in their internal ar.
rangements, would be admirably
adapted for ocean surveys and the cor
recti0ns of the charts of the South
Pacific Ocean, where many dangers OF
navigation exist, the location and ex-
tent of which are still undetermined.
The Navy department has for many
years felt the necessity for completing
the surveys in the South Pacific, pa
well as to locate or expunge from the
charts many reported dangers in the
Atlantic. The expense of fitting out
the "Thetis" and the "Bear" for the
work will be very small as compared
with the benefits resulting to com
merce.
The law, however, making the ap'
preparation for the Greedy Relief Ex-
pedition provided that the vessels
should be sold when their work was
completed. 1t is notimprobable, how
ever, that Secretary Chandler may
submit to Congress next winter the
advisability of retaining the vessels In
the naval service for surveying pur-
poses. The heads of some of the bu'
reaus of the Navy Department are
strongly in favor of this being done
and will urge upon Congress favorable
legislation.
A CLOUD ON REPUBLICAN PROSPECTS
There is no concealing the fact that
the Republicans are good deal an
moved at the result Of the Prohibition
Convention at Pittsburg. Their more
cautious leaders don't admit this pub
licly, but in private they acknowledge
that the action of the Convention in
making nominations is very unfortu:-
nate for the Republican party. They
admit that this result was brought
about through the efforts of the Dem
ocratic leaders. The effect is likely to
be very material in several of the
doubtful States. This is essentially
true in Ohio and Indiana, where the
prohibition element is strong. 1t may
also effect the general situation in
Iown, where the prohibition elemen
is large and where Republican major
tiles have been wonderfully reduced
in the past few elections. This is als'
true of Wisconsin and Minnesota
Should the action of the Pittsbur.
Convention be followed by nomination
of Prohibition candidates III Congress
ional districts it will probably resul
very favOrably to the Democracy il
regard Ia the National ticket.
ALABAMA CLAIMS ALLOWED.
The Court Of Commissioners of Ala
bama Claims have transmitted Ia tn
Secretary of State for his certificatiO
a list ofuwards Numbering G06, in favO
of claimants, and 260 cases in whicl
judgments have been rendered for tn
United States. The aggregate Of tn
awards to claimants is So, ,7l9, 1913. Th
judgments were promptly certified b
Secretary Frelinghuysen to the Treas
ury Department, where the award
will now be paid.
DECREASE IN POSTAL REVENUES.
! Returns receiV ed ut the Post Offil
Department from l59 letter carrie
Post Offices, which produce nearly Oh
half of the postal revenue, show TIL,
the gross receipts ending June 30, Isl
: were SIS, 1890 or $350,3l6 (5.7 p'
cent? less than the receipts from ii
: same offices during the correspondent
quartes of the preceding year. Upo
this basis the receipts from all Po
Offices during the quarter would aggr
gate about $ll 900, 900, and the receip
q for the year would be about 100000
t less than the receipts of the previo'
4 fiscal year. The diminution is attri
uted to the reduction of the letter ra
: from to cents. The result of Il
4 years business, which is better tha
9 was expected, is highly gratifying
= the financial officers of the Depar
0 ment.
@ THE PRESIDENT AND CABINET o
3 FICERS ALL ABSENT FROM
= :, WASHINGTON.
President Arthur's departure for
:, vacation trip ofindefinitel length leav
the Capital without President or
: single Cobinet officer. Secretary
e State Frelinshuysen is resting fro
u the labors OF his office at his home
New Jersey, while Assistant secreta
: of State Davis has gone off with Il
d President. Secretary of the Treasu
Folger is seeking to build up his n
70 robust health by drinking in la
. breezes at Geneva, n. Y. Secretal y
O War Lincoln is spending Sunday al
|, Summer resort on the New Jers
8 coast, but will return this week. Sc
!, retary of the Navy Chandler is waitfl
% to give the official welcome to t
G Greely survivors at Portsmouth, NJ
)f IT, ,o .,,r,ni.od hara that hafOra M