The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-13

Washington, December 10.--In view
of the signature of the peace treaty, the
government will be obliged very speed
lily to take steps looking to the restora-
ton of the diplomatic machinery neces-
sary to friendly relations with Spain.
So far the president has not given much
consideration to the selection of
United States minister to Madrid. The
recent visit to the White house Of Mr..
Woodford, late minister to Spain, has
been enormously construed to indicate
a determination on the part of the
president to return him as minister to
Madrid. AS matter of fact, this is
improbable, as the whole line of diplo-
matte precedent is in the direction OF
wiping out all old issues and starting
fresh, after war, with new ministers
on both sides. If custom is followed
either the next United States minister
to Spain or the next Spanish minister
to Washington, will be accredited with
credentials as a special envoy to ex-
change the ratifications Of the treaty
now being negotiated at Paris. Having
fulfilled that function he will then pre-
sent his credentials as minister resident
and remain in that capacity.
POSTAL SERVICE FOR PORTO
RICO.
The commission appointed to inves-
tigate the postal service in Porto Rico
has made its report to Postmaster Gen.
eral Emory Smith. The mail and tele-
graph services are operating under the
same officials, the two services having
been consolidated in 1896 to reduce ex-
penses. Vacancies and the higher sal
aried places were filled by promotions
based ON experience and efficiency. In
all there were ninety-one postofhces In
operation under the Spanish govern
ment prior to the occupation of the is
land by the American forces. The
salaries of postmasters ranged from
SI5 to 81, $50 per annum, which latter
amount was paid to the postmaster at
San Juan, Ponce and Mayaguez AT
the larger offices clerks were employed
at from $3.50, to $500 annual salaries.
The report gives a detailed statement
showing total postal receipts of $4,000.
Total expenditures were: Salaries OF
postmasters, who perform both tele-
graphic and postal duties, $46,3S0; OF
clerks $61,960; and rent $7,859. The
total revenues of both telegraphie
and postal services last year
were $197,SO3, and the expenses $685.
$40, leaving a deficit of $89,537. The
commission commends the appointment
of a chief postal supervisor with suit
able number of assistants, inspectors
and clerks. The supervisor is to hav'
$2,5O0 per annum and allowances; hi!
. functions to correspond to an assistan
postmaster general here The commits
sion recommends the establishment o
postoffices at points located under tn
Spanish regime and that the samNrule
governing here should govern there Il
establishing proposed new offices. A
the larger offices, like San Juan, Aqua
dilla, Aragama and Humacao, Ameri
cans are to act as postmasters with ma
3 tive clerks.
| THE MASSACHUSETTS, INJURET
O. A telegram received at the navy dc
!, partment today from New York say
that the battleship Massachusetts, 500
after leaving the New York navy var
today for Hampton Roads, struck a
obstruction near Governeur's island an
S three of her compartments were tor
n open. She was taken back to the nav
r yard at once and has been placed
in, fhn nf he In
:. juries. Her commander is Captai
v Nicol Ludlow.
The officers of the pay .departmer
n OF the army say that Major Muhlel
I. berg, the paymaster who is engaged
n paying of the Second Virginia reg
= ment of volunteers, is entirely innocel
2 of blame for any delay in paying o
k the men who have chosen to burn hi
in effigy, as reported The regimen
was ordered to be mustered out on Il
e 10th and the pay department was pr
. pared to do its share SO that no dels
: might follow. At the last momen
4 however. the accounting officers Of Il
United States treasury found that nea
ly all of the men in the regiment we
more or less indebted to the goverl
! ment and under the law and regul
e tions this Indebtedness must be settl,
1t in full before the muster out and Il
W final payment. The discovery nece
l. STATED the making up OF new payroll
and the delay in making final paymen
:. Newport News, Va, December TO-
= The First Kentucky regiment, whi,
II arrived here yesterday on the transpo
Berlin, left tonight at 10:30 o'clock 4