The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-01-28

has performed its duty and will report that
the FIRE was purely accidental. 1t was
caused, probably, says the committee, by
throwing into one OF the fre-places of the
building waste paper or other light material
which was carried up the fue into the
wooden bore at the foot OF the fag staff. In
order to prevent a recurrence OF such
mended that the flagstaff be covered
with metal sud box constructed
entirely of that material. 1t also recon-
mends the Clerk of the House be directed 10
procure suitable small fire extinguishers, to
be kept in all the rooms in which documents
or papers are stored.
The conferees upon the temporary naval
appropriation bill, who are making pro-
vision for the Navy Department for the last
half of the current fiscal year, reached an
agreement to day. The bill appropriates
Sc, 10, 600 for the half year. The provision
of the House bill prohibiting repairs OF
wooden ships or OK engines and machinery
OF wooden ships beyond what may be accom-
plished at an expenditure of 50 per centum
of the estimated cost of new ships aud ma
chinery, has been amended by limiting the
expense of such repairs to 20 per centum Of
the cost of new snips or machinery.
Secretary McCulIoch to day addressed a
communication to the Speaker OF the House.
recommending an appropriation Of $780,
OtO tOr tue ConSLuCllOu 81 hu
vault for the storage of silver and for the ex.
penfes attending the transfer of silver from
sub-treasuries (Which are now, or which may
become, overcSowded with that coin.
Before the House Judiciary committee to-
day Representatives, Dockery and Follett SUBJ
mitted arguments in favor of bills introduced
by them and pending before that commit
tee to abolish the offices of Deputy Marshals
and Supervisors OF Elections.
The Board Of Superyising Inspectors of
Steam Vessels to-day adopted the rule re.
quiring all barges in tor OF steamers TO carry
proper signal lights. This rule applies to
the lakes and the seaboard.
The President appointed J. c. Denis Spe-
cial Commissioner on the part OF the U nited
States at the New Orleans Exposition.
Reports from twenty .ons cities, represent.
ing 80 per cent. OF the total sales OF stamps
postal cards and stamped envelopes, show a
falling off in the sales of II per cent. for the
December quarter of 1884 as compared with
1888. Only four cities on the list show an
increase. as follows: Brooklyn, s, 274 st.
Louis, So. 266; Detroit, SO 729; New Orleans,
s906. The aggrega'e sales for the quarter
ended December 81. 1884 are SIC 500, 600
against $l0,6TS674 fo- the corresponding
quarter of 1883.
Representative Mercy has prepared re-
port to accompany the bill for the reduction
of newspaper postage. He says the postage
On e6DO0Q C1dSa IIdUcE CAL Justly U6 CdlltQ n
privilege tax paid by the publisher for per-
mission to prosecute his business. The rev.
enue derived from second sss matter is
about 4.1S per cent Of the whole-sl incon-
siderable proportion-amounting the last
fiscal year to 81, SIS, 592 The propofition to
reduce the postage from two to one cent per
pound does not mesn the reduction of this
gross amount one-hah Ol the contrary, it
is not certain the revenue in the total
amount from second class mstter would be
reduced at all by the change. [ nder the
present rate TIE Government does all the bust
ness of transporting and handling Of second.
class matter on long and nprofitaOle hauls,
and the express companies do the short o.
profitable hs-ls.s Upon the reduction OF
the rate the Government will do the short
hauls Also and the revenue will. in the
opinion OF the Committee, be maintained
and probably increased, even with the ad-
ditional expense Of transportation b and
ling, etc. There is no question that the tax
as 1t now stands is a considerable burden
upon publishers, which they can not share
with the general public, who are the grest-
est benefcaries of the service. Admitting
the Importance of newspapers and maya
zines generally, and more especially those
devoted TO arts and sciences, to
particular industries, to religious
and technical instruction as
great educRsors, ahd considering the great
burden TO the class engaged in this work,
upon whom The whole tax falls, aud little
II ans loss 10 the revenue of the country,
the c. mmittee respec fully recommends the
passage o. the bill. A reduction in the rate
would Ell able papers TO live that are strug
cling and Others 10 improve their facilities
for eatheripg news. 1t would also induce
coTrest ondence, increasing 6rst-ciass post
sge The Government of the Do ninion of
Canada, in its enlightened treatment OF this
question carry its newspapers and periodicals
free and by the terms of our postal treaty
We carry the papers OF Canada in the United
States free.