Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-11-27
WASHINGTON BREEXI s.
DOINGS AT THE NATIONAL CAPITAL
n Murdcrous Iole-1he Treasury Depart
ment sends IA Circular to Customs ON
cers-President Cleveland Takes
Counsel-Oiher Capital Items.

cers--president Cleveland Takes
Counsel-Other Capital Items.
WAsHGNGToN, Nov 2O-Louis Sommcr-
field, a Pole, aged 52 years to-day shot and
killed his wife, and Gottlieb Escnbaum in
the latter's saloon. Sommeripld's wife, It
appears left. him some weeks ago and
has since been living at Escnbaum's
This afternoon Sommerfcld entered the
saloon and drawing II five barrclled revol-
yer shot Eseubaum through the heart and
Mrs. Sommerfcld in the back Sommer-
field then ran down the street toward the
navy yard. a citizen undertook to stop
aim when he attempted to Kill him also.
Officers then appeared and took him into
custody. He made no explanation.
A Treasury Department Circular.
WAsHINGTON, Nov. 2O-The treasury
department has prepared Il circular to be
forwarded to the customs officers relative
to the statute regulating protests in Gus
toms cases. 1t sets forth that the statute
now regulating protests, appeals and suits
when the importer complains OF excessive
duties was enacted more than twenty
years ago, and there have been conflicting
interpretations of its meaning by subOr-
dinate federal courts which have not been
finally adjudged by the Supreme Court.
The views of customs officers are asked,
as to whether or not the existing law re
uuireS amendment for greater certainty,
and their opinion is also requested on sew
eral other points involving Il prompt de
spatch of business, etc.
The President Takes Counsel.
WAsHINGToN, Nov. ga ssistant Sec
rotary Fairchild called at the White House
to-day and had long conference with the
President in regard to the operation of the
customs laws and the general condition Of
that service. 1t is understood the Presi-
dent will make several important recon-
mendatonS to Congress in his forthcom-
ing message looking to a general slmpliti-
cation and improvement of the customs
service and to the prevention. OF many
abuses and frauds. The President sent
for Mr.. Falrchild to secure the benefit Of
his experience and observation
Trying to Make Out IA Duel.
WAsHINGTON, Nov Ex-senator Rid
dleberger and Mr. Martin have engaged
in a controversy through their respective
newspapers. Martin has asked the Sena-
tor to 'indicate some one with whom |
can confer a. is usual in such cases. -
But the later declined the challenge as he
adheres to his previous determination to
fight no more.
The Homestead and Presumption Laws.
WAsHINGToN, Nov. Reconnaissance
Sparks has recently made a ruling des-
tined to have important influence upon
transactions IN public lands. He has de
/ hat ,t,tif ~
! homestead is, in effect and in law, IA turn
ing of entry into presumption, and as suct
is illegal, when the claimant has previous
ly had the benefit of pre-emption. Since
the passage of the homestead law it ha:
| become almost an universal practice fo
settlers to secure claims under both tina
and the pre- -emption law, in addition t.
which they have usually taken the bene
fit of the timber culture law, thus aggre
eating under the three laws Il maximum
estate Of $50 acres. Ii has been customary
to take up presumption and tree claims
at once. and after Il lapse of the shurtCs
necessary intervals, to mort gage the for
mer for enough to pay the government
price of it, when, having secured the It'll!
the settler was at liberty to move ava.
and take the benefit Of the Homestead
law. The ruling of the commissioner i
calculated to stop This practice.
leaves the settler still the right t.
secure either presumption or a hOmt
stead, in addition to his free claim
and as far as the ruling gOe
it leaves him the right to secure pre-
emption claim in the usual way, and the
, secure homestead by living upon tn
land five years But the latter right Gen
SporES does not COncedp 1t has bee