The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-03-23
Treasury SurpIus Increasing.

WASHINGTON, March 22.-The treasury
surplus has been steadily increasing for
several days past. 1t now amounts to
S50.200,00O, OR $5,O00,0O0 more than it was
ten days ago. This increase is due to the
great excess of receipts over disburse-
rrents since the first of the month. The
receipts to date aggregate $23, aOO, 900, while
the expenditures during the same period
amount to a little over S12, ,OO0, ,OOO includ-
ing about s., 100000 paid out on account of
pensions Until recently the receipts and
expenditures have been pretty we'll bal
anced by the purchase of bonds, but
tn, TINS mesnod OF applying the o. surplus mas
light offerings. The purchases have been
confined to four-and-a-half. per cent.
bonds, but this is partly due to
four per cents. Secretary Window has an
nounced his purpose of continuing for the
present, at least, the system of purchasing
adopted by his predecessor, and that he
would willingly increase the purchases IT
the offers permitted it. He has been urged
to resume the purchase of four per cents as a
more profitable use of the surplus than the
purchase of four-and-a-half per cents. He
declines, however, to make known his
views ON this subject beyond the statement
that his policy as to the fOurs must be de
termined by his treatment of the offers.
why Navy-Yard Clerk Was Discharged.
WASHINGTON, March 22.-Secretary Tracy
has defined his intentions in the matter of
retaining or reinsJating navy-yard en-
ployes in the following letter, addressed to
an employe in the Bureau of Yards and
Docks, Washington navy-yard:
have your letter of the 10Th inst, concerning
your discharge from the position Of clerk in the
Bureau of Yards and Docks in the Washington
navy-yard, in which you state your record as a
Qnldi hnlp hnf ord fhn ncnln
cause of your appointment. In reply, and to
correct erroneous impressions concerning the
same, have to state that you were discharged
upon the recommendation of the chief of the Bu-
reau of Yards and Docks for inefiiciency in the
performance of your duties. At the time of my
approval of the recommendation for your dis
missal, was not aware of your military record,
and it is cause OF deep regret that such result
should happen to soldier. But, nevertheless. 1t
Is necessary to the proper transaction OF the
business of the Navy Department that persons
holding positions hereunder shall be able to dis
charge their duties in a manner satisfactory to
their superior officers. While the fact of person
having good record as a soldier will be cOnsld-
cred among the best of recommendations for re-
tention in Orappointment to position under the
Navy Department, ability to perform satisfac-
toriy the duties Of the position which he holds or
dent to favorable consideration or an application
for retention or appointment.
Legal Status of Minor Soldiers.
WASHINGTON, March 22.-The Adjutant-
general of the army has published, for the
information of the army, recent decision
by a United States court in Michigan
touching the status of minors who enlist
and afterward desert from the army. In
the case at issue. the soldier enlisted when
q minor, although pretending that he was
of age, and afterward deserted. He was
arrested and court-martialed. While the
proceedings of the court were awaiting re-
view the father of the minor sued out a
writ of habeas corpus. The United States
Court declined to issue the writ, holding
that minor soldier of the army in confine-
ment under a charge of desertion could not
| be discharged from Military service by the
court until he had been released from such
| confinement. 1t was also held that mi
| voidable. If he be over sixteen years of
| age. he can be discharged only upon the
application OF his parents or guardian.
The Oklahoma Proclamation.
WASHINGTON, March 2.-The proclama-
tion opening up Oklahoma territory to set
tlement will be issued tomorrow by Presi-
dent Harrison. 1t will embrace about l.
100000 acres of land The country affected
by the proclamation is bounded on the
south by the Canadian river. along that
| river in northwestern direction for some
| distance, and thence due east to point near
| the Pawnee reservation; thence south to
the Cimarron river, along that river to the
Indian meridian, thence due south along
| that meridian until the Canadian river, the
starting point, is reached.
Repairs to Indiana Public Buildings.
Special TO the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, March GA statement
prepared by the Secretary of the Treasury
showing the expenditures from the sundry
civil appropriation bill passed by Congress
Oct, 2 isSs, for repairs and preservation o.