Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-12-07
General Veps.
MATTERS AT WASHINGTON.

Congress opened on Monday.
Mr.. Blaine will build new house in
Washington.
The public debt was increased 81, 199-
S17 during November.
The investigation of the defective work
on the Washington aqueduct is still in
progress.
The Dakota people are beginning again
to agitate the question of admission to
the Union.
Mckinley of Ohio, Reed of Maine and
Cannon of Illinois are candidates for the
speakership of the next House.
The indications are that next Inaugural
ton day will eclipse all previous events
of that character at the capital.
The Senate finance committee began
the hearing Tuesday of representatives
of interests affected by the Senate tariff
bill.
The total amount of bonds purchased
to date under the circular of April II is
$97, lO1 $50 of which SOL 1891, 200 were
per cents and 45,707, $50 were A per
cents.
Congressman Randall is in Washing
ton. He is not expected to attend the
sessions of the House, except on special
occasions. His work as chairman of the
committee on appropriations will for the
most part be done at his home.
The Democratic cry for an investiga-
ton of the methods employed in the
recent election is regarded in Washington
as mere buncombe. The Republicans
would not be averse to participating in
such an inquiry, if the Democrats start it.
1t is said that the West Virginia Demo-
cratic managers have abandoned the idea
of refusing certificates to the Republicans
who were on the face of the returns
elected. The Democratic officials in the
Honse now admit that the Republicans
have majority.
In his annual report the supervising
special agent of the treasury renews a
recommendation made last year that a
bill be passed prohibiting the importa-
ton of smoking opium, and providing for
the seizure and destruction of the drug
in that form wherever found.
The efforts of this administration to
build a new naval vessel based upon
plans that were English, and for which
about So, 900 was paid, are bringing the
navy department into ridicule. The YES
sci would not float, and lots of money
will be spent to undo work which COM
petent American constructors told the
naval officials would prove failure.
Representative Stone of Kentucky has
introduced joint resolution proposing
an amendment to the constitution pro-
vidng that the President and Vice-Pres.
ident shall be chosen every fourth year
by direct vote of the people. The bill
forbids holding any local or State cleo
tions, except for members of Congress
on the day set apart for the election o.
President and Vice-President.
Postmaster General Dickinson's annua
and history of every branch of the posta
service for the fiscal year, with many
comparisons with previous years, show
ing a remarkable expansion of business
and large increase in expenditure. TIT
gross revenue for the year was $50 ,695,
l76; expenditures, $50, 1856 ,403; estimate,
deficiency, 81, l9O,226.
The annual report of the secretary o
the treasury shows revenues from al
sources for the fiscal year ending Jun
80, 1888, amounting to 1919, 266, rs
expenditures, sll9,6l2, 1l6.O9. AS con
pared with the previous year the receipt
increased 81 1862, 1911 and the exper
ditures decreased $S,27s, 22l.30. The IA,
tual and estimated revenues for tn
present year are 1917 ZOO, 900; and tn
actual and estimated expenditures al
$273,060,000; leaving an estimated SUI
plus applicable to the purchase Of bond
amounting to Sl04, 0O0,O G0. The revenue