The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-07-15

the vessel cannot be accepted by the secre-
tary of the navy, that no contract exists be-
tween John Roach and the government and
the large sums of money paid to him for the
vessel may be recovered.
The New Orleans worlds exposition
plant, buildings and machinery were sold
at auction Monday for $4,000. They were
bid in by Mr.. Newman, but were bought
for the new exposition company. President
McConnice of the new exposition company
says the purchase closes the last loop-hole
of doubt as to the reopening of the EXPOSE
tion as ii establishes the new company on u
definite basis and enables it vigorously to
push forward the enterprise to completion.
THE board of visitors to West Point, in
their annual report, recommend an appro-
priation of $4,000 for a new gymnasium,
$1,000 for improving the cadet laundry,
$4,000 for improving the blacksmith and
other shops. $4,000 for removing the bar
racks for the cavalry detachment nearer the
stables and riding hall, $1,000 for changes in
the library building, and S175,OO0 to make
suitable provision for the departments of
chemistry and philosophy.
COTTON has made material improvements
during June. There are few imperfect
stands reported. Temperature and rainfall
have favored growth and fruiting. Local
droughts are very rare and moisture gem
orally sufficient from Virginia to Texas.
The general average condition has advanced
from ninety-two in June to ninety-six.
1t has not been exceeded in June since
1880. This will ensure, barring drawbacks
so likely to come in the latter summer, a
large crop.
PROFESSORS ROWLAND Newcomb and
Mendenall, who were appointed after the
Washington monument was struck by light
ming, to examine and report upon the best
means for protecting the shaft, recommend
that copper rods be placed around the roof
at each joint, with two hundred needle points
projecting. Colonel Casey ANTICIPATED the
report, and recently placed four rods with
twenty-eight needle points near the cap
stone. 1t is thought the rest of the two
hundred will be added.
The recent ruling of the treasury depart
ment on the subject of the extension of the
tax on whiskey in bond it is said, may be
accepted as final decision that no further
favOrs like that granted by Secretary Nc
Culloch are to be extended to the whiskey
men. Secretary Manning is understood to
have made up his mind on this subject and
is determined not to change it. There will
be some four or five millions or more of rev.
enue due from this source within the next
few months, and this will be collected as
fast as it falls due.
LAND COMMISSIONER SPARKS has rendered
an important decision. affirming the right OF
entry under the public land laws and de-
cisions of the supreme court of the United
States, of lands heretofore withdrawn by the
| voluntary action of the general land office
for railroad indemnity purposes where nc
requirements of law existed for making
such Withdrawals. The effect of this de-
cision. if sustained by the secretary of the
interior, will be to restore to entry under
the homestead and other laws many mill.
ions of acres of public land which have
been kept out of the market for many
years, because claimed by railroad corpo
rations.
The postmaster-general has approved 6
design for the ten-cent special delivery
stamp authorized by congress at its last
session. The stamp will be about twice the
size of the ordinary postage stamp and the
shape of dollar note. On the left of the
stamp there is pretty vignette of messen
ger boy in uniform. Across the top are the
words, United States special postal deliv
ery' and along the bottom the price of the
stamp, ten cents, is expressed in figures and
letters. Conspicuously on the body of the
stamp are the words, secures immediate
delivery at special delivery office" The
whole design is very pretty and effective
The postmaster-general gave it into the
hands of the American Bank Note Company
of New York.