St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-07-16

amount Oh surplus WHICH lIlc 'dlIil inn
can be made to produce will measure
the amount of greenbacks that can be
held back from ressuance. If large
surplus of revenue cannot be produced
by the new tariff law, the greenback
question Is liable to prove perpleXing to
the administrator.
The secretary of the treasury will un-
doubtedly present plan of currency re-
form, which the president will recon-
mend 10 congress at the beginning OF
the regular session in December, but
there are serious obstacles to any cur
rency legislation, even though 1t in
cludes the use OF silver below the denom-
nation Of S., as the president has had 1t
In his mind to suggest.
An important arrangement has been
completed between the United States
and Mexico for an exchange Of weather
bureau reports. This is an exceedingly
important matter, and to both coun-
tries. The United States is interested
in securing information of storms that
some into this country through Mexico,
and Mexico is especially ANXIOUS to get
advance information of low tempera-
lures working toward Mexican terri
tory.
This question has long been the sub.
ject for correspondence betw cen the two
countries, and is an exceedingly import
ant advance in the facilities afforded
the weather bureau for predicting
storms from the south. An effort will
now be made to secure some like ar.
rangement by which information OF
OF storms in the West Indies can be Sc
cured. The bureau now has reports at
irregular times from the West Indies,
where there are nine meteor illogical sta
lions. But it is desired to have a daily
Geographic report, such as Is received
from stations in this country. The
West Indies service would cost about
$4,000 per annum. The Mexican ser.
vice is secured with cost of not over
$500, and possibly not more than $500 pei
annun.
The Mexican system embraces stations
over the whole region of the country
covered by the Mexican Geographic SER
vice. with at least one station in Lower
California, six on the Mexican gulf coast
and possibly six on the Pacific coast
These reports will be delivered by Mex.
leo free to this country, in exchange fol
which the United States service will
twice day deliver to Mexico the reports
received from stations in the southern
half of California, ARIZONA, New Mexico
and the gulf states. The corporation
arranged with Mexico is similar to thai
now in operation between Canada ant
the United States. The daily receipt OF
these addition reports will render less
liable the unexpected approach Of de.
structive storm to our southern ports.
In accordance with the suggestion
made in letter addressed to Senator
Pritchard by Secretary Gage, with re-
lation to the exclusion of deputy col
lectors of internal revenue from the clas-
sifed service, it Is expected that the civil
service commissioners will issue an or
der next week specifically exemptint
this class of government employees from
the civil service rules. 1t Is understood
that the civil service commission ha
been of the opinion all along that tn
deputy collectors did not properly be
long within the classified service, an
they have been ready so to decide, eX
cept for the fact that soma uncertaint
as to what particular determinatio
should be made between the outsid
depties and those employed at the mai
office.
Secretary Alger has issued genera
order making some changes in the regu
lations governing the award Of medals {
honor, the purpose of which is to plao
additional safeguards around the issu
of those tokens of the governments az
probation Of bravery. The sccretar
saws that in order that the medal ma
be deserved, service must be performe
in action of such conspicuous charat
ter as to clearly distinguish the man fc
gallantry and intrepidity above his con
rades-servce that involved eXtren
Jeopardy of life or the performance
extraordinarily hazardous duty and II
contestible proof of service VIII be r.
uuired. Soldiers Of the Union have eve
displayed bravery in battle, and sue
badges of distinction as the compression
al medal are not to be expected, he say
as the reward of conduct that does n
clearly distinguish the soldier abo'
other brave men.
one important change in the rules
issue made by the secretary is in Il
allowance of applications for the med
directly by the proposed recipient WI
will be allowed to make deposition
citing the services performed. 1t Is pr
ferred that ether persons familiar wi
, the facts claimed as justification II
the award rake and sustain the app
cation. but ii tins cannot be done, OWL
to the death or disappearance of SUI
persons, then the applicant may file h
I application in person. Under the pr
vious practice this could not be don
/ The regulations have also been amend
so as to require all applications 4
medals based on services hereafter re
| dered to be fled within year of the Sc
vices, and the facts are to be thoroug
Nv investigated by the commandmg of
Ger.
The death OF senator i1drrls OIL len
essee removes one of the most histol
, personages in the upper branch.
was the best parlamentarian on t
, Democratic side, and was so regard
by all. Probably no man In public Il
had been identified with more of the h
tory of the country than he. Senat
Harris had almost completed his 70
To, Nnl, nv 1
and first became member of congre