St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-05-28

conference, and participated In the dis
cussion as to combination of the two
delegations upon all matters In the tariff
bill affecting their states. 1t was
argued that, IL 1t was good thing to
combine on the tobacco schedule, 1t was
q better thing to extend the scope of the
compact. The senators from the two
states were seen, and 1t was agreed that
they should all have neutrality-suspicious.
and epresentatives-an settle upon q
plan Of action.
Connecticut has Senator Plat on the
finance committee and Congressman
Russell on the committee on ways and
means, and their influence would count
against the numerical superiority of the
Massachusetts delegation in any COM
pact that may be made.
The report on the project for the i'm
provement Of the Merrimac river, be-
tween Newburyport and Haverhill,
Mass, authorized in the last river and
harbor bill, was transmitted to congress
last week. 1t proposes to dredge chan
mel, between the points named, $50 feet
wide and seven feet deep. The river has
alrady been improved to this extent at
several points, and, to complete the chan
mel, dredging at the following places was
necessary:
Over the shoals between Powwow river
and Rock bridge, $500 feet; between
Rock bridge and Curriers' shoals, and
over the small shoals midway between
Curriers' shoals and Groslaw bridge.
The cost Of the improvement Is esti-
mated at s11,442.
Major d. w. Lockwood has also report
ed upon the proposed extension of the
easterly breakwater at Point Judith,
harbor Of refuge, r. I. 1t was proposed
to extend this 900 feet from the shore,
to do which would cost $187 $685. But the
major says that, in his opinion, the i'm
provement is not worthy to be made by
the United States; that 1t Is not justified
by the interests of commerce. This ad-
verse opinion is concurred in by Colonel
G.. L. Gillespie, division engineer.
I notice that the following appoint
ments in the lighthouse service in New
England have recently been made by the
secretary of the treasury In Massachu-
sets, Winfield L. Greed has been ap-
pointed as keeper of the light on Specta-
Gle island in Boston harbor, and Eugene
Terpenny Will serve in similar capac ty
for the light at Cuttyhunk. Charles S.
Williams has been selected as first as
sistant KEEPER for the Boon island light
In Maine, with M. S. Seaward as second
assistant. William M. Brooks has been
named as the keeper for the light on the
Isles OF Shoals n New Hampshire.
The residents Of Adams, Marblehead
and North Attleboro, Mass, Walling-
ford Conn.,, and Olneyville, r. l., will
soon be happy. I am told at the post
office department that on July the free
delivery service will be extended to
these towns. There will be three or more
carriers employed at each office in this
service. Other towns who are clamoring
for this service must cheer up. 1t Is the
policy Of the present adm nistration to
extend the service wherever it. Is posi-
BILE, and I understand that several of
our New England towns are apt to be
similarly favored very soon, just as soon
as the ground can be thoroughly gone
Affairs in Cuba have been at the front
| lately, the senate having by large ma
jority passed resolution voting to rec
| ognize the belligerency of the Cuban
republic, while both branches have
passed, at the suggestion of the presi-
dent, bill appropriating $4,000 to aid
suffering Americans on the island.
| Of course the belliegerency resolution is
by, far the more graver step in the prem
ises, the appropriations being simply
an act of humanity. The belligerency res
olution, however, will not pass the house
Mr.Reed and the Republican leaders will
quietly but effectually deposit the SEN
ate resolution in q cavity. Mr. McKin-
| ley will not yet be called upon to express
himself on the belligerency phase of the
matter. 1t is the general belief that he
desires the subject to remain in it's pres
ent state, and that the plan to shelve
the senate resolution in the house has
been sanctioned by the executive.
| 1t is interesting to note how the New
England senators voted on the resolution
| when it passed the senate. Messrs. Hale
| of Maine, Morrill, of Vermont, Hoar Of
Massachusetts, att and Hawley of Con-
necticut and Wetmore of Rhode Island
were recorded against the resolution;
Messrs. Chandler and Gallinger of New
Hampshire were the only two who voted
for it; and Messrs. Frye of Maine, Proc
tor Of Vermont, Lodge of Massachusetts
and Aldrich of Rhode Island did not vote.
This shows that of the New England
representation recorded only two sena-
tors out Of possible II were in favor
of the resolution. 1t Is claimed here that
the feeling in New England in favor Of
the Cubans is very slight and very much
opposed to the apparent lingo" feeling
| In the senate.
| The contract to furnish wood and coal
for the public building at Rockland, Me-,
during the next fiscal year has been
awarded to Messrs. A. B. Bird & Co. at
their bid of $3.50. The contract for sup
| plying fuel for the Lewiston, Me-, build
ing was awarded to J. N. Wood & Co. Of
that city, their bid bid being $514.
Congressman Weymouth Of Fitchburg,
Mass, has secured through the postoffice
department three mounted mail carriers,
rather an innovation for New England,
for his home city. Beginning July the
government will allow $3.50 year for
horse hire in connection herewith. I'm
til test Is made it will be impossible to
decide how much ground can be COW
cred. 1t Is the intention of the depart
ment to universally introduce this sys-
tenn of delivery in some sections of New
England, and this Fitchburg case will
| be closely watched by all the officials