The Portland daily press., 1896-03-31

tanned IN this country, the salaries OF all
officials ;. including congressman, and ex-
cept1ng United States judges, be reduced
to three-fouruhs the salaries now provided
for by law.
Post Office Appropriation Bill Passed.
Washington, March 80. The Senate
committee on appropriations, today re-
ported the post Office BILL A net increase
of 81, 1853, COG is made to the House bill,
the total as reported to the Senate being
$93, III, 564. Estimates for 1897 are $94,
s17. 900; as passed by the House, S9l, S19,
657. The estimated postal revenues for
1897 are placed at $89, 1893, 1870.
The chief items of increase made by the
Senate are: Clerks in post Offices $780,,
coo; inland mail transportation by rail-
road routes. 81. 600, 600; railroad post office
car service, $780, 900; transportation of
foreign mails, $So,O0O reduction of
$40, 900 was made on the item for rewards
for the detection of post office burglars,
etc.
Among the new provisions Incorporated
in the bill is the following: Provided
that no post office established at any
county seat shall be abolished or dicon-
tinued, by rea son of any consolidation
of post offices made by the postmaster
general under the existing law. Any
such post office ut county seat heretofore
consolidated, shall be established as
separate post Office at such county seat.
The House bill under thoshead OF free
delivery service, divides an aggregate of
$12 74s, $50 specifically into appropriations
for letter carriers. horse hire, street letter
boxes, incidental expenses ETC. The
Senate increases this almost 500, 900, and
makes the lump appropriation under the
general head of free delivery service.
The bill, as reported to the Senate oon-
iGf0
national compensation to the Oceanic
steamship company for transportation by
its steamers sailing from San francisco
TO New Zealand and New South Wales,
via Honolulu, all mails made up in the
United States destined for the Hawaiian
Islands, Australian colonies, New Gale
donia and the Islands in the Pacific
ocean, $50, 600; provided that said add1-
tional sum, with the sum now paid,
shall not exceed SO a mile, as authorized
by the act of March 8, 1891.
A Reciprocity Commission.
Washington, March o.-Representtiye
Smith of Michigan, has prepared joint
resolution, the adoption of which, he
believes will materially benefit the trade
relations OF the United States. 1t pro-
vides for the establishment of reci-
procity commission of five members, not
more than three of the same LoiitioaI
on account of distinguished consular SER
vices; one shall be familiar with the ad-
miniStratiOn of customs laws; the re-
mainder shall be equally distinguished in
point of commercial or manufacturin
experience. The commission shall sit at
Washington and devote its attention to
the origination and perfection of trade
treaties with European powers and the
governments of the Western Hem isphcre.
No Hope for Bankruptcy Bill.
Washington, March 30-The Senate on
the judiciary this morning ordered favor
able reports on q number Of House bills
| OF minor I'm portance.
Next Friday was set apart for the con-
| sideration of the bankruptcy bills now
before the committee. There appears to
be little hope Of such a measure passing
| the Senate at this season. The majority
| of the committee appear to be in favor of
q voluntary bankruptcy act only and it is
not believed that such measure would
hands of the Senate. For this reason
there is a disposition on the part of the
| committee at least to take no action
| whatever.
Another Trial for the Katahdin.
Washington, March so.-The ram
Katahdin, now at the New York navy
yard, will have final trial April 6. The
Katahdin failed on the regular trial to
| develop the required speed, II knots, and
was rejected by the President and Secre-
tary of the Navy. Subsequently, the SEQ
| rotary of the Navy was directed by a
joint resolution of Congress to accept her
at the contract price. Her test On tine
9th will be for the purpose of ascertaining
whether she is SOUND in all respects and
to determine whether the contractors are
liable for any inferior work or inferior
material that may be discovered.
New Pacific Railroad Bill.
Washington, March 20-Tbe Joint sub
committee on the Pacific railroad held a
| long session this morning. but reached
no definite conclusion. A member of
the subcommittee has been instructed to
prepare bill that will soon be submitted
| to the full committee. 1t is believed that
| that measure will be along the lines of
the Frye rafundlng bill with several
notifications.
Bank Closes Its Doors.
Washington, March 30-The First
National bnnk of Morris, Minn., closed
it's doors today The bank had capital
of $50, 600; its liabilities are estimated as
$1O0, 900.
Post Office Established.
Washington, March 3O.-A postoffioe
has been established at Dirigo, Andro-
Scogg1n county, and E. H. Libby annoint