The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-05-02
WASHINGTON.

General ID. S. Stanley has been assigned
10 the command OF the department OF
Texas, in place of General Mackenzie.
Before the tariff debate in congress closes
Speaker Carlisle intendst To take the floor
and advocate a tariff for revenue only as
amply sufficient Ia afford Incidental pro-
lection To American labor.
Friday the house committee on postoilices
and postroads by Il vote of ten TO one adopt
ed resolution declaring il the sense Of the
committee that il IL eXpedient to adopt the
contract system of postal telegraphy.
The senate finance committee has decided
that the bill for the redemption of the trade
dollar must contain II provision deducting
the number received from the monthly pur-
chases of bullion. and that the time must be
80 limited that the amount now III clrcula-
ton in Asia can not be brought back.
John A. Walsh has written Il letter to the
president expressing Willingness to turn
over to the government all the documents
in his possession relating tn the Star-rOutc
appear personally in the prosecutions. The
matter has been referred Ia the attorney
general
The house committee on foreign affairs
decided 10 report that the president be di-
rected To bring the attention of the govern
ment of Venezuela Ia the claim of John f.
WheelOck for SJ0.OUO for indemnity fOf
gr0ss outrages and fortunes inflicted by an
Official of that country. and to enforce ail
immediate settlement.
The bill introduced in the house by Rep
reSentative Henley to encourage education
IN the states and territories provides that
all newspapers hereafter published in the
several states and territories I'm any language
whatever shall be carried free of postage
through the mails within the limits of the
United States and territories.
The house committee on public lands has
instructed Representative Payson to favor
ably report his bill to prevent the unlawful
occupancy of public land in any state OF
territory by parties who have no titles to
the land shall be unlawful. 1t further pro-
vides that 1t shall be unlawful for any per
son to demolish any such nclOsure when il
includes more than GAO acres of land or any
agricultural lands.
The eastern counties OF England were ON
Tuesday forenoon alarmed by an earth
quake Of considerable force The shock was
distinctly felt i'm Cheapsidc and Fleet street
London. Church bells were rung at Col
chester. tall chiinneys were tOppled over,
the spire Of one of the largest churches fell,
and the side walls of houses were shaken
out. At Ipswich plates We're ratified and
bells rung. Windows i'm dwellings at South
end We're broken. and chmncyS were dash
ed to the earth.
The treasury officials dO not believe the
recent decision of the supreme court enti-
thing persons returning from abroad to free
entry OF their wearing apparel, whether in
Use or not, will afford much relief to the
customs officers in deciding where the line
shall BIZ drawn. Under this decision IL is
thought many persons will attempt to bring
through wearing apparel which they never
expect to use. and the burden of proof will
he on the government 10 show that the per
son who has an excess of such apparel does
not move in u station of life which requires
III mill ho al In f.t
the customs officers TO determine in the case
at ladies WHO have an unusual amount of
costly dresses whether they can be worn by
them or not. II is expected that the depart
Inent will issue circnlar letter Of instruc-
ton to the customs officers, embOdying the
opinion of the supreme court, although
doubts are expressed whether any rule can
belaid down which will prevent smuggling.
civil. SERVICE.
AT a meeting of the house committee ON
the reform Of the civil service, Representa-
tive HOblitZell was directed To report adj
versely bills for the repeal of the civil.
service laws. An unfavOrable report was
bill to reduce the salaries OF the president,
cabinet officials, judges OF the supreme
court. and congressman. In response to an
inquiry from Philadelphia as TO whether the
appropriations committee would refuse to
make an appropriation for the civiI-service
tOIuIIlfSoiDlfs MI. NIOtt lttttI
saving his committee would not attempt to
nullify any existing law by refusing u
make an appropriation.
\ SCIENTIFIC COMMISSION.
A subcommittee of the house committee
on commerce decided TO report favorably to
the full committee on Representative Mutch.
ler's bill providing for the appointment of q
scientific commission TO attend the interna-
tional electrical exhibition to be held in
Philadelphia next fall, under the auspices
of the Franklin institute Of Pennsylvania
for the promotion Of mechanical arts. The
bill provides that the commission may In.
vite scientific men. native and foreign, Ia
participate In the conference. The. com.
mission may also conduct such special in
vestigatioIs. both at and subsequent to the
international electrical exhibition, as may
conduce to the progress of electrical science
ia this country. The bill appropriates S25,.
900, and requires that the work Of the com
mission shall BIO completed within two
years after the passage Of the act.
LIQUOR LICENSES.
The bill introduced in the senate by Mr.
ingalls, to amend section 3,243 of the revised