The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1889-04-25
WASHINGTON NEWS.

Mr.. Scott, the chief of the salary and al
Iowance division In the postofcs department.
is working away on the classification OF the
clerks In the first and second class postoffcei,
but he will not have II completed much be-
fore the beginning of the fiscal year. He has
first to read Just the salaries of p stmasters ON
the basis Of the business done during the four
quarters ending March 81, last, and has to
base the other salaries and allowances on
that. Some 600 Of the 5000 first and second
class offices have not yet reported, and sec
ond call has been sent out The clerks
are at work on the returns already
in from the first class offices and will
have some OF them completed within
a few weeks. They will receive care
full revision by Mr. Scott himself, and inspec-
tors will be sent to the larger offices to see II
the scheme prepared at the department
promises to work well in practice; With
this matter and the regular readjustment OF
salaries, Mr.. Scott has his hands full. He
has to readjust the salaries of all the post
masters In the country on the basis OF the
last years business, and, in addition he has
to make the allowances for rent, light and
fuel, under the provisions of the legislation
of last year and this, to third class postmast-
ers. These adjustments will all be made
before the fiscal year opens July l,
but 1t will be impossible to have them ready
much before.
Pension Commissioner Tanner has re-
ceived the formal resignation Of Gen, Franz
Sigel as pension agent in New York City.
The latter said; l informally rendered my
resignation some days ago. The report that
had denied it was the result of a misunder-
standing on the part of the person publish
ing the denial. / am awaiting orders from
Washington, and shall remain at my post OF
duty until my successor has been appointed
and qualified. 1t was necessary that should
resign, as the troubles ana anxieties to which
have recently been subjected have had
serious effect on my health. l am glad the
report of the investigating committee does
not reflect on my integrity in the conduct of
the pension agency.
The German postal authorities have asked
the United States government to arrange for
the distribution of mails on board the steam
ers plying between the two countries during
their voyage, so that on the arrival of yes
se!s on either side the mails can be forwarded
to their destination without the delay of dis
tributing and sorting on shore If this plan
is adopted great saving Of time will be eff
fected The American postal authorities ia
vor the proposition, but doubt whether there
is any appropriation available for the pur-
pose. The Improvement will undoubtedly
be adopted in time.
The treasury department law officers find
themselves considerably bot e"ed with in
ouiries concerning the legal status of April
so through ut the United States. In case
presented from an Ohio bank the solicitor of
of the treasury decided that the presidents
reclamation makes April 30 a thanksgiv ng
day in that state, and therefore, legal holt
day under the laws of the state which make
special provisions for the recognition a
thanksgiving m ssage fl, m the president
without further action On the part of the
governor. The solicitor cannot give an opin-
ion that will cover all the states because he
does not know all the state laws bear
ing on holidays of worship. This re-
solves the whole matter down to the oint
that the Both of April is a legal holiday un-
der the presidents proclamation, where the
state laws make provision for the recognition
of proclamation of fast or thanksgiving by
the president In New York the day is
legal holiday by special act of the state legis-
lature.
The general court-martial in the case of
Lieut.. Commander Book, charged with leav-
ing his command without authority, has
been dissolved. 1t is understood at the navy
department that while Commander Book has
been foun1 technically guilty, his sentence
will be very light, consisting probably, of q
temporary suspension from duty.
The commandant of the Marine corps has
been instructed to detail marine guard for
the Chicago which is to serve as a flagship
at the Cen tennial celebration at New York
April 80
Assistant Treasurer Ellis H. Roberts in
tends to conduct his Office on strictly bust
ness principles. It has been the custom for
the assistant treasurer only to file bonds,
employees being placed on their honor to per-
form their duties honestly and conscien-
tiously. Assistant Treasurer Roberts, has,
however, taken the view that, as all bank
ing and other fiduciary institutions require
bonds from those who are entrusted with
moneys he cannot consistently conduct the
monetary affairs of the United States with
out exacting the same security for the ma.
tional funds.
The Mckee babies are in undisputed pos
session of the beautiful room fitted up by
President Arthur in blue and ruby plush fol
his own room, and known for eight years al
the presidents room" It is now the nur
serv, and here the two-year-old Benny Har
rison Mckee, who passed his birthday thi
week. and the baby girl of 8 months crow
and cry, and fill the once silent and stately
presidents room" with the liveliest sort Of
young life.
Assistant Treasurer E. H. Roberts, of the
United States sub-treasury, has appointed
Mr.. Maurice l. Muhleman, the sub treasury
cashier, to be acting assistant treasurer OF
the United States in the event of any disa,
blity which may cause the former to be alb
sent from his duties. Mr. Muhleman ha
held many important offices in the sub
treasury, and was the deputy assistant
treasurer until selected to act as cashier OF
the retirement of Mr.. William Sherer, who
is now manager Of the clearing house.
1t is very apparent that officers of tn
army are filed with the liveliest apprehen
sion regarding the opening of Oklahoma
The secretary of war has authorized tn
statement that the government is full,
aware f the situation and has arranged Il
take all proper steps to prevent trouble.
The instructions sent to the commandan
of the trc ops at Oklahoma as a result of tn
opinion rendered by the attorney genera
were extremely guarded. They are under
stood to direct the army officers to assist il
the maintenance of law but to carefully OBJ
serve the regulations defining their authori
ty and leave arrests for violations of law t.
the marshalS.
The charge d affaires ad interim of Core
in note to thu department of state of tn
18th inst. says that the newspaper account
of the famine in Corea have been greatly ex
aggerated 1t appears that owing to tn
scarcity of rice in the southern districts i'm
port duties were removed from VI foo
products and cargoes of rice were purchase
in Japan for distribution among the sufferer
by express direction of his majesty the king
He adds that the government and people O
Corea are deeply grateful for the kindne
and sympathy extended to them by foreign
ers in Seoul
Henry NJ Dixon Ct Mississippi IS year
old, has been> appointed cadet-at-large a
ton of his grandmother, Mrs. Annie E. Dix
on. She is the widow of Major Henry I
Dixon, the only man in Fauquier county
Va, who voted for Lincoln for president i
1890 and who was assassinated by an OK
confederate officer soon after the close @
the war.
The president has made the following ap
Il.
troller of the currency; T. G. Phelps, colec
tor of customs for San Francisco; A. S. Hill