Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-05-29
WASHINGTON. May 2S


Agent Llewellyn, at the Mascalero agency.
New Mexico, has telegrsphed the Indian bur
eau as fellows: The Apaches under Geron-
lmo are now dePredsiing vest of the Rin
Grande. Two women Of Geronimos camp
came In here today. have confined them
In the guard house. The Mescaleros have
rendered l50 men to accompany the troops
should the hostiles come within striking dis.
lance.
Secretary Lamar was still unable to attend
TO his duties today.
The attorneys for certain postma.ters have
complained to Postmaster General Villas that
the constitution placed by Postmaster Gen.
eral Gresham upon the act of March Sd. 1883
providing for the readjustment of the salaries
of postmasters of the third and fourth classes,
was arbitrary. and extremely unjust to post
masters in whose behalf the act was passed.
Assistant Attorney General Bryant. of the
postofdce department, has carefully examined
the complicated statutes bearing up,n the
subject, As result Of his report the postmas-
ter general has decided that while the matte
of the constitution is not free from doubt,
and he is not absolutely sure that the con-
structiOn of Postmaster General Gresham
was right in the premises. yet the rule having
been followed for two years, and something
over S2OO.OOO having been appropriated by
Congress for the payment Of salaries on that
basis. he does not deem it proper on the
strength of his own individual opinion, to
change that ruling. The remedy for the
claimants was through the courts or by addi-
tional congressional enactment.
1t appears from recent dispatch to the
State department that the French authorities
will endeavor TO defer, until the first of June,
the payment of awards in which the Ameri-
lean attorneys have interest. The dispatch
says, hewever, that they must proceed in the
meantime in accordance with the forms of
the French law to establish their claims, and
that as this can be done only by producing,
before the ''procurer" or "Huissier" eyi
dence of the agreement entered upon
between the attorneys and French claimants
These papers ought to be forward d with as
little delay as possible. In connection with
this infect it seems that many persons inter-
ested in the French spoliation claims have
wrongly construed the Intelligence recently
communicated by our minister at Paris IN
regard to the French claims commission" to
refer the venerable French spoiation cases
now in question, are those in which aw Yards
were made to French citizens by the late
joint commission, under the treaty with
France Of January l5,h, 1880, for settle
the French-M excan, our civil Franco-G err
man war and an insufrection of the commune
Lieut.. Gen. Sheridan has returned to Wash
ington from his western trip.
From correspondence transmitted by the
W ar d, partment to the Indian bureau it ap-
pears that the Apache Indian outbreak was
caused by whiskey The Indians maHufac-
tured large quantities of "tiswin'' and became
intoxicated. Knowing punishment would
follow this infracrion they went on the war
path.
There was full attendance of the cabinet
at the meeting today, including Secretary
Lamar. who has practically recovered from
his recent attack of sickness. The question
of authorizing the continuance of the expo
sition at New Orleans was again con.idered
After the meeting the following telegram
was sent by the Pres dent to Senator Gibson {:
'rhe ques ion Of reopening the exposition
has been considered by the cabinet and they
are unanimously OF the opinion that there is
no warrant of law for it and that it would be
inexpedient on other grounds"
The secretary of the treasury has issued a
circular to the customs officers. stating that
the appropriation for defraying the expenses
of ol.cting the revenue from customs will
be exhausted by the necessary payments for
month OF May, 1885.