Huntsville gazette., 1885-08-29
NATIONAL TOPICS.

The Shoe and Leather Trade-A Successful
acknowledgement to Further Polar
Explorations-The Special Stamp System
for First-Class Matter Only-Commer-
cial Highways to be Kept Open.
THE SHOE AND LEATHER TRADE.
WASHINGTON, d. c., August 25.--
Some time since the State Department
sent circulars to the various United
States Consuls asking for inform alton in
regard to the shoe and leather trade in
the various districts in which they are
located. Responses to these circulars
are now being received. Consul Harper,
of Munich, says of the trade In Ger
many: "German manufacturers have,
during the last decade, made rapid pro-
gress in this industry. There have been
founded large factories that produce first
rate goods quite equal to those produced
in other countries. No money has been
spared to introduce the very best ma
chinery. Sons of the most prominent
houses have been sent to America, En-
gland and France to study the trade and
its bearings. The American method of
manufacture has had the special atten-
ton of the leading firms. The result is
that many factories are completely fur
nished and conducted on American
plans. In fact, the German manufac-
turers are endeavoring to elevate their
production to the highest degree of per-
fection. The time is not far distant
when German machine-sewed ladies'
goods will be found in the West End
shops of London"
Consul Russell writes as follows from
Liverpool: "American leather is sent
here with quantity of waste attached,
which English tanners would render into
glue and not be at the trouble and ex-
pense of tanning. There is something IN
the American process which robs the
pelt of large portion of its gelatinous
parts, and makes the texture dry. 1t is
found necessary for buyers of American
hides, before they can be used, to rid
them of much offal before they cut them
up. This is waste. 1t would enhance
the value of the sides If American tanners
would cut these off and make glue pieces
of them. There are no bona fde Ameri-
can made boots sold here, although there
are several so-caled American stores.
The goods sold in them are manufac-
tured, as the proprietor says, on the
American principle. There are no i'm
port duties on leather. either raw or
manufactured"
SUCCESSFUL INNOVATION.
WASHINGTON, d. c., August 25.-Tues.
days and Fridays are Cabinet days in the
Interior Department. The Cabinet room
is the Office of ofAssistant Attorney General
Montgomery, who presides over the de-
iiberations, and the officers who assemble
are the law clerks of the department.
Under previous administrations the de-
cisions on land questions promulgated
under the Secretary's signature were
prepared by clerk, handed to the chief
clerk of the Assistant Attorney-Gen-
erals office, and then through the
latter official the opinions reached
the Secretary. At present new
system is in operation. On the days
named the law clerks assemble in Judge
Montgomery's room, bringing with them
the decisions they have prepared One
clerk is particularly expert in homestead
cases, another in pre-emptions and an
other in land grants. Each reads aloud
the opinions he has prepared on the
questions submitted to him, and then
they are laid before the 'Cabnet" for
criticism and discussion. The plan has
been found to work we'll. 1t keeps the
clerks from falling into grooves, and an
opinion which is to be submitted by one
clerk 10 all his fellow clerks is sure to be
honestly and carefully prepared.
OPPOSED TO POLAR EXPLORATION.
WASHINGTON, D. c., August 49,
Lieutenant Dannenhower, of Arctic ex
ploration fame, has prepared paper to
be read at the annual meeting OF the
Naval Institute next October on the sub
ject of "Polar Explorations" in which
he takes firm stand against Arctic ex-
poratons. In summing up his conclu-
sion on the subject, he saws:
"After having having served with one
Arctic expedition and having devoted
seven years to the study of the subject,
as well as the watchful observations
of the numerous efforts and the
comparatively insufficient results attend
ing the sacrifice of human lite and treas
ure, / unhesitatingly record myself as
opposed to further explorations OF the
Central Polar Basin with our present
resources. The gradual extension Of
observatory stations in the interest OF
meteorology, magnetism and other sci
entifc branches should be made, but the
National support SHOULD not be given to
another Polar expedition.
FOR FIRST CLASS MATTER ONLY.
WASHINGTON D. c., August 25.-An
inquiry has been made at the Post-ofice
Department as to whether the special
stamp system, which was to 60 into
effect October 1st, will apply to mer-
chandse as well as to letters and
whether packages having these stamps
will be delivered. Department officials
hold that the intent of the law is to
provide for the prompt delivery OF
first class matter only, but that
merchandise not to exceed four
pounds may be put up as
frst-cl matter, and it would undoubt-
edly he specially delivered, but 1t would
probably cost the sender NOR to send it
by mail than by express If thsiistance is
short Third and fourth class matter
can be sent long distances more chcaply
by mail than by express because the mail
rates are the same all over the United
States, while the express rates are regu-
lated by the distance to be Travelled.
HIGHWAYS TO BE CLEARED.
WASHINGTON, D. c., August 25.-Con'
sui Lewis at Sierra Leone has reported
to the State Department that steps are at
last being taken to put an end to the wars